Manofluorographic analysis of swallowing in the elderly.

This study examined the effect of aging on the mechanisms of swallowing by comparing 16 elderly subjects (80 years +/- 5) with 20 healthy volunteers. Manofluorography was used to obtain quantitative and qualitative data of the pharyngeal swallow. Aging is associated with a significant decrease in the level of negative pressure resulting from the opening of the upper esophageal sphincter and with a substantial number of incomplete relaxations of the sphincter.