COM COM Speech & Swallowing Disorders 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which swallowing phase involves the coordinated action of the tongue propelling the bolus toward the pharynx?
- Oral preparatory phase
- Oral transit phase (Correct answer)
- Pharyngeal phase
- Esophageal phase
Correct answer: Oral transit phase
The oral transit phase is when the tongue propels the bolus posteriorly toward the pharynx.
Question 2: A patient with an open-mouth resting posture and low tongue position is most at risk for which speech disorder?
- Hypernasality
- Frontal lisp (Correct answer)
- Lateral lisp
- Rhotacism
Correct answer: Frontal lisp
A low, forward tongue rest posture commonly produces a frontal lisp due to tongue protrusion on sibilant sounds.
Question 3: What term describes difficulty swallowing that orofacial myologists commonly address through therapy?
- Aphasia
- Dysphagia (Correct answer)
- Dysarthria
- Apraxia
Correct answer: Dysphagia
Dysphagia refers to difficulty swallowing and is a key concern in orofacial myofunctional therapy.
Question 4: Which muscle is primarily responsible for tongue tip elevation during the production of alveolar consonants?
- Genioglossus
- Hyoglossus
- Styloglossus
- Superior longitudinal muscle (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Superior longitudinal muscle
The superior longitudinal muscle shortens and elevates the tongue tip, critical for alveolar consonant production.
Question 5: Nasal breathing at rest is preferred over mouth breathing primarily because it:
- Increases speech intelligibility
- Filters, warms, and humidifies incoming air (Correct answer)
- Reduces tongue muscle tone
- Prevents dental caries
Correct answer: Filters, warms, and humidifies incoming air
The nasal passages filter particulates, warm, and humidify air before it reaches the lungs, which mouth breathing does not do.
Question 6: Which orofacial structure acts as the primary valve separating the oral and nasal cavities during swallowing?
- Hard palate
- Soft palate (velum) (Correct answer)
- Epiglottis
- Uvula
Correct answer: Soft palate (velum)
The soft palate elevates during swallowing to create velopharyngeal closure, preventing nasal regurgitation.
COM COM Speech & Swallowing Disorders 1
Which swallowing phase involves the coordinated action of the tongue propelling the bolus toward the pharynx?