CMT CMT Swallowing & Feeding Disorders 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the correct name for the mature swallowing pattern that myofunctional therapy aims to establish?
- Visceral swallow
- Somatic swallow (Correct answer)
- Infantile swallow
- Thrust swallow
Correct answer: Somatic swallow
The somatic (or adult) swallow involves the tongue tip pressing against the palatal rugae, teeth together, and minimal facial muscle activation.
Question 2: During a normal adult swallow, where should the tongue tip make contact?
- Against the upper front teeth
- Against the lower front teeth
- On the incisive papilla and anterior palate (Correct answer)
- On the soft palate
Correct answer: On the incisive papilla and anterior palate
In a correct somatic swallow, the tongue tip contacts the incisive papilla just posterior to the upper incisors, and the tongue body elevates against the palate.
Question 3: Tongue thrust swallowing is also known by which clinical term?
- Dysphagia
- Reverse swallow
- Visceral swallow (Correct answer)
- Hyperphagia
Correct answer: Visceral swallow
Tongue thrust swallowing is clinically termed the visceral or infantile swallow pattern, where the tongue pushes forward against or between the teeth during swallowing.
Question 4: Which dental malocclusion is most commonly associated with a persistent anterior tongue thrust swallow?
- Class II division 2 malocclusion
- Anterior open bite (Correct answer)
- Posterior crossbite
- Deep overbite
Correct answer: Anterior open bite
Persistent anterior tongue thrust exerts forward pressure on the incisors during each swallow, creating or maintaining an anterior open bite.
Question 5: How many times per day does the average person swallow, making swallowing pattern correction highly impactful?
- 100–200 times
- 300–500 times (Correct answer)
- 600–800 times
- 1,000–1,500 times
Correct answer: 300–500 times
The average person swallows approximately 500–700 times daily, meaning even minor dysfunctional patterns apply repetitive forces that significantly affect oral structures over time.
Question 6: What is 'lip tie' and how can it affect infant feeding?
- A condition where the upper lip is too long
- A shortened maxillary labial frenulum that restricts lip flange and latch quality (Correct answer)
- Lip muscle weakness causing drooping
- A congenital absence of the philtrum
Correct answer: A shortened maxillary labial frenulum that restricts lip flange and latch quality
A lip tie is a restrictive maxillary labial frenulum that limits lip eversion during nursing, impairing the infant's ability to achieve a deep, effective latch.
CMT CMT Swallowing & Feeding Disorders 1
What is the correct name for the mature swallowing pattern that myofunctional therapy aims to establish?