Elevation of the pharynx and the width of the pharyngo-esophageal segment during swallow.

The elevation of the pharynx and larynx at swallowing in 10 patients with a defective relaxation of the cricopharyngeal muscle, was compared with that in 10 normals. The pharynx and larynx moved higher among patients with a defective relaxation of the cricopharyngeal muscle. Therefore, it can be concluded that a defective relaxation of the cricopharyngeal muscle at swallowing has no relationship to a defective pharyngo-laryngeal elevation.