The esophageal phase is voluntary or involuntary?

• A. Voluntary
• B. Involuntary
• C. Both
• D. Depends on person

Answer: (B)

The esophageal phase is involuntary. Once a swallow is initiated, the movement of the bolus through the esophagus is driven by automatic peristaltic waves coordinated by the enteric (myenteric) nervous system and modulated by autonomic input. The initiation of swallowing itself involves voluntary control of the tongue and oropharynx, but the actual transport down the esophagus happens automatically. This is why, even though you decide to swallow, the esophageal phase proceeds without conscious control. Other options aren’t correct because voluntary control applies to the oral phase and, to a degree, the initiation of swallowing, not to the esophageal peristalsis itself, and this process is not typically varying by person.