= Dysphagia
<Dysphagia> means difficulty swallowing. It can involve preparation and transfer of material in the <mouth>, passage through the <pharynx> or movement down the <oesophagus>. These stages require coordinated <muscle> activity, sensation and neural control. <Dysphagia> names a functional difficulty rather than one unique disease or anatomical lesion. <Dysphagia by NIDCD>[Fact sheet, What is dysphagia?, How do we swallow? and How does dysphagia occur?]{ref}
Swallowing also protects the airway: food transport and temporary closure of the breathing passage must be coordinated. A delay in initiating the response and a mechanical obstruction can both disrupt swallowing through different mechanisms. Difficulty moving a bolus, pain during swallowing and entry into the airway are related observations but should not be treated as identical definitions.
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