Unit 1 - Dysphagia (e-book)
1.2 Dysphagia
1.2.3 Dysphagia classification
Dysphagia can be broken down into two main classifications according to the place where they take place: Oropharyngeal dysphagia and Esophageal dysphagia.
Oropharyngeal dysphagia. Problems occur during one of the first two stages of swallowing. There is a failure at some point in the coordinated swallowing process.
Esophageal dysphagia. Problems occur during the last phase of swallowing Patients usually describe symptoms of food getting stuck seconds after initiating swallowing and identify it occurring in the upper half of the thorax or slightly lower.
Figure 3. Disphagia classification (Source: CADIS Huesca)