Which of the following is a symptom of dysphagia?

• A. Poor mastication
• B. Premature spillage
• C. Post-swallow vallecular residue
• D. Aspiration

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is how to recognize signs that indicate the swallow isn’t being cleared properly during the pharyngeal stage. Post-swallow vallecular residue is a classic indicator: after the swallow is finished, material remains in the vallecula (the space just above the epiglottis). This shows the pharyngeal phase didn’t clear the bolus completely, pointing to pharyngeal dysphagia. It signals incomplete propulsion and airway protection issues, which can raise the risk of later aspiration.

Premature spillage reflects material entering the pharynx before the swallow is triggered, which is more about the oral stage timing than residue after the swallow. Poor mastication is an oral-preparatory problem, not a sign of residues left after the swallow. Aspiration can occur with dysphagia but is an outcome or risk, not the residual sign observed after swallowing.