Which description best describes the oral transit phase of swallowing?

• A. It ends when the bolus is at the alveolar ridge or floor of the mouth
• B. It lasts 2-3 seconds
• C. It involves the bolus being propelled into the posterior pharynx
• D. It ends when the bolus reaches the anterior faucial pillars

Answer: (D)

The key idea is where the swallow moves from the mouth into the throat. In the oral transit phase, the tongue propels the bolus from the front of the mouth toward the oropharynx. This phase ends when the bolus head reaches the anterior faucial pillars, because crossing that boundary triggers the swallow reflex and starts the next stage. So describing the end point as reaching the anterior faucial pillars best captures the transition from oral propulsion to the pharyngeal phase.

The bolus being at the alveolar ridge or floor of the mouth happens earlier in this stage, before propulsion is complete. Propelling the bolus into the posterior pharynx describes the pharyngeal phase, not the oral transit. And durations like two to three seconds aren’t fixed; timing varies with bolus consistency and individual differences.