Table 1.

VFSS Metrics for Objective Quantification of Dysphagia in Mice.

Stage of Swallowing	VFSS Metrics	Operational Definitions
Oral	Lick rate	The number of lick cycles per second (30 frames) during uninterrupted drinking, starting with the jaw at maximum open position and the tongue protruded.
Pharyngeal	Swallow rate	The number of swallows occurring during each 2-second (60 frames) episode of uninterrupted drinking, beginning at the rest frame immediately preceding bolus transit from the valleculae (ie, anatomic swallow trigger point in mice).
Esophageal	Esophageal transit time	The time (in milliseconds) that it takes the bolus to be swallowed from the proximal esophagus into the stomach.

Abbreviation: VFSS, videofluoroscopic swallow study.