DYSPHAGIA is defined as difficulty in SWALLOWING which results from interference or obstruction to the food passage. The mechanism of deglutition has been described under pharynx. It includes three phases namely oral, pharyngeal and esophageal. The interference in the first phase of SWALLOWING can be either anatomic or neuromuscular. The anatomical involvement is trauma, infection and neoplasia. The second phase involves interference in the involuntary transport mechanism of the pharynx which can be anatomic or neuromuscular. The phase three involves the lesions in the esophagus.
