Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Gender Effects on Airway Closure in Normal Subjects

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Dysphagia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The present study was designed to examine age and gender differences with respect to the duration of laryngeal closure, the onset of laryngeal closure in relation to the first cricopharyngeal opening, and the duration of cricopharyngeal opening for six different groups: normal younger men and women (22–29 years), normal middle-aged men and women (45–53 years), and normal older men and women (81–94 years) (10 subjects in each group for a total of 60 subjects). Data were collected by means of videofluoroscopic studies. During swallows of liquid barium, results indicated that normal older subjects had longer cricopharyngeal opening than younger subjects (P = 0.044). Results also revealed that the mean duration of laryngeal closure was significantly longer in women than in men (P = 0.013). The onset of laryngeal closure was significantly earlier in women than in men (P = 0.006). Also, bolus volume effects were observed for both the duration of laryngeal closure (P < 0.0001) and cricopharyngeal opening (P < 0.0001). During liquid barium swallows there was a linear increase in both the duration of laryngeal closure and cricopharyngeal opening.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Logemann JA. Evaluation and treatment of swallowing disorders. 2nd ed. Austin, TX: Pro-Ed; 1998. p. 5, 31–5.

  2. Rademaker AW, Pauloski BR, Colangelo LA, Logemann JA. Age and volume effects on liquid swallowing function in normal women. J Speech Hear Res. 1998;41:275–84.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Ardran GM, Kemp FH. The mechanism of the larynx. II. The epiglottis and closure of the larynx. Br J Radiol. 1967;40:372–89.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Jacob P, Kahrilas P, Logemann JA, Shah V, Ha T. Upper esophageal sphincter opening and modulation during swallowing. Gastroenterology. 1989;97:1469–78.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Logemann JA, Kahrilas PJ, Cheng J, Pauloski BR, Gibbons PJ, Rademaker AW, et al. Closure mechanisms of laryngeal vestibule during swallow. Am J Physiol. 1992;262:G338–44.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Kendall KA, Leonard RJ. Bolus transit and airway protection coordination in older dysphagic patients. Laryngoscope. 2001;111:2017–21.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Kendall KA, Leonard RJ, McKenzie S. Airway protection: evaluation with videofluoroscopy. Dysphagia. 2004;19:65–70.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Robbins J, Hamilton JW, Lof GL, Kempster GB. Oropharyngeal swallowing in normal adults of different ages. Gastroenterology. 1992;103:823–9.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Logemann JA, Pauloski BR, Rademaker AW, Kahrilas PJ. Oropharyngeal swallowing in younger and older women: videofluoroscopic analysis. J Speech Hear Res. 2002;45:434–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Hiss SG, Treole K, Stuart A. Effects of age, gender, bolus volume, and trial on swallowing apnea duration and swallow/respiratory phase relationships. Dysphagia. 2001;16:128–35.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Hiss SG, Strauss M, Treole K, Stuart A, Boutilier S. Effects of age, gender, bolus volume, bolus viscosity and gustation on swallowing apnea onset relative to lingual bolus propulsion onset in normal adults. J Speech Hear Res. 2004;47:572–83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Dicpinigaitis PV, Rauf K. The influence of gender on cough reflex sensitivity. Chest. 1998;113(5):1319–21.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Zamir Z, Ren J, Hogan WJ, Shaker R. Coordination of deglutitive vocal cord closure and oral-pharyngeal swallowing events in the elderly. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 1996;8:425–9.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Pauloski BR, Rademaker AW, Logemann JA, Newman L, MacCracken E, Gaziano J, et al. Relationship between swallowing motility disorders on videofluorography and oral intake in patients treated for head and neck cancer with radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy. Head Neck. 2006;28(12):1069–76.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Muveddet Discekici-Harris, MMI/M.S., and Barbara Roa Pauloski, Ph.D., for their assistance with this study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, 2240 Campus Drive, #3-358, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA

    Atsuko Kurosu & Jeri A. Logemann

Authors
  1. Atsuko Kurosu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jeri A. Logemann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jeri A. Logemann.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kurosu, A., Logemann, J.A. Gender Effects on Airway Closure in Normal Subjects. Dysphagia 25, 284–290 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00455-009-9257-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00455-009-9257-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation