During the pharyngeal phase, what occurs to prevent nasal regurgitation?

• A. Elevation and retraction of the velum closes off the nasal cavity
• B. Relaxation of the cricopharyngeus muscle
• C. Base of tongue moves forward to squeeze bolus through pharynx
• D. Laryngeal folds abduct

Answer: (A)

During swallowing, sealing off the nasal cavity is achieved by elevating and retracting the soft palate to close the velopharyngeal port. This velopharyngeal closure prevents material from regressing into the nose as the bolus moves through the pharynx. The other actions aren’t directly about nasal leakage: relaxing the cricopharyngeus opens the upper esophageal sphincter to let the bolus enter the esophagus; the tongue base helping push the bolus is more about propelling it through the pharynx; and abducting the laryngeal folds would compromise airway protection rather than prevent nasal regurgitation.