What does "Volitional swallow" mean in a report or doctor's letter? In our medical dictionary, you will find a patient-friendly explanation of the meaning of this medical term.
A volitional swallow is a medical term that refers to the act of swallowing when a person decides to do so. This is different from reflexive swallowing, which happens automatically without us thinking about it, like when we swallow saliva. Volitional swallowing is often used in medical contexts to assess a person's ability to swallow food or drink safely, especially after an illness or surgery that might affect this function.
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