Effect of aging of the pharynx and the UES

Abstract

Oral-pharyngeal dysphagia is increasingly recognized as a health risk in generally healthy, but elderly, adults. The focus of this chapter is to review evidence of aging effects on the pharynx that may contribute to this difficulty. Information reflecting multiple focus areas and investigative techniques is considered. Collectively, the evidence suggests declining efficiency and an increased need for adaptation to offset structural and functional changes in the pharynx associated with aging.