What is epiglottic Retroflexion?
Epiglottic retroflexion seems to be an important mechanism of airway protection during swallowing. Although epiglottic dysfunction has been correlated with aspiration, the kinematics alterations underlying this condition remain unclear.
What causes epiglottic Retroflexion?
It appears that epiglottic inversion correlates with the action of the pharyngeal constrictor muscles as well as laryngeal elevation and tongue base retraction. This may be attributable to the glossopharyngeal part of the superior pharyngeal constrictor facilitating tongue base retraction.
Can the epiglottis be replaced or repaired?
Yes, epiglottis can be repaired using surgery. Yes, epiglottis can be repaired using surgery. Swallowing is vital for life.
When does the epiglottis not close?
When something goes wrong with the muscles that direct swallowing, it’s called dysphagia. Dysphagia can lead to food or other material entering the airways or lungs. This is called aspiration. Normally, a flap called the epiglottis blocks food particles and stomach contents from entering your lungs.
Why is the movement of the epiglottis reduced?
In the majority of cases, however, the reason for the reduced epiglottic movement is inadequate hyolaryngeal elevation, with reduced traction and pulley forces exerted on the epiglottis. In answer to the question about what treatment should be prescribed for an ‘immobile epiglottis’, we must first determine the cause.
What is the prognosis of epiglottic inversion dysfunction?
It is perhaps better to ask whether epiglottic inversion isn’t one of a constellation of signs and symptoms that have a poor prognosis initially, but may improve over time with proper medical attention and intensive rehabilitative intervention.
How is the epiglottic tubercle adjusted during regurgitation?
It participates, during swallowing and regurgitation, through the passive adjustment of the intralaryngeal posterior surface of the epiglottic tubercle to the vestibular folds. In association with these epiglottic movements there is a stretching of the aryepiglottic folds to allow for the transient formation of the lateral channels.
How does the tongue help with epiglottic dysmotility?
As the hyoid and thyroid cartilage elevate during the swallow, they move the epiglottis to a horizontal and then inverted position, covering the arytenoids and vocal folds. The base of tongue then presses against the lingual surface of the epiglottis, helping to squeeze out the contents of the valleculae.
