Oral Phase Component

Definition

Latch

Seal around the nipple

Suck-swallow-breathe coordination

Rhythmical and well-synchronized integration of respiration within repetitive suck-swallow sequence

Suck-swallow ratio

Number of sucks per swallow; considered impaired if greater than 3 sucks noted per swallow

Bolus formation

Cupping of the bolus by the tongue with no leakage to the anterior sulci or buccal cavity

Oral Residue

Any residual on the oral tongue surface, the hard palate, the anterior sulci, or the buccal cavities

Pharyngeal Phase Component

Definition

Velopharyngeal closure

Adequate seal between soft palate and pharyngeal wall

Tongue base retraction

Contact between the tongue base and the posterior pharyngeal wall

Pharyngonasal Reflux

Presence of contrast entering the nasopharynx

Pharyngeal Residue

Presence of residual contrast on any of the following structures: Tongue base, valleculae, posterior pharyngeal wall, and/or pyriform sinuses

Laryngeal Penetration

Entrance of contrast into the laryngeal vestibule but not below the true vocal folds

Tracheal Aspiration

Entrance of contrast into the laryngeal vestibule and passing below the level of the true vocal folds