• usually takes about one second and involves coordination of the tongue and pharyngeal muscles (including its neural supply)
• Issue with the oropharyngeal phase of swallowing.
• mouth → upper esophagus (i.e. level of UES, a.k.a. cricopharyngeal muscle).
• Often have dIfficulty initiating swallowing.
• If caused by stroke → Anterior Circulation Problem

Key symptoms

• Cough
• Nasal Food Regurgitation (Repeated swallowing attempt to clear food from hypopharynx)

Key Etiology

• Neuromuscular:
  • !Stroke (CVA) (Most common)
  • Parkinsonism
• Mechanical
  • Head and Neck Cancer
  • Zenker’s diverticulum
• Xerostomia (Dry mouth)