Question

--innervates many facial muscles of which the buccinator and orbicularis oris are of importance to the swallow mechanism

--pocketing of food (buccinator),
- loss of labial seal (orbicularis oris),
--decreased willingness to eat due to loss of taste (anterior 2/3 tongue)
- salivation

Answer 1

The buccinator and orbicularis oris muscles are essential for the swallow mechanism, helping prevent pocketing of food and maintain a labial seal. Dysfunction can lead to difficulties in swallowing and decreased willingness to eat.

Step-by-step explanation:

The buccinator muscle and the orbicularis oris muscle play critical roles in the swallowing mechanism, known as deglutition. The buccinator compresses the cheeks, preventing pocketing of food during the oral phase of swallowing, while the orbicularis oris maintains a labial seal to keep food within the oral cavity. The muscles of facial expression, including these, are innervated by the facial nerves and contribute to various functions such as chewing, speaking, and maintaining oral competence, which is crucial for effective swallowing.

Dysfunction in these muscles can lead to swallow deficiencies, exemplified by pocketing of food, loss of labial seal, or other abnormalities that could decrease the willingness to eat, such as loss of taste in the anterior two-thirds of the tongue, a function partly mediated by the facial and glossopharyngeal nerves.