Although the specific neural underpinning is not confirmed it might be hypothesized that oral events become “uncoupled” from the pharyngeal response, which includes airway protection. Thus, in older healthy adults it is not uncommon for the bolus to be adjacent to an open airway by pooling or pocketing in the pharyngeal recesses, for more time than in younger adults.
Despite the lack of confirmed neural basis, it could be hypothesized that oral events become “disassociated” from the pharyngeal response, which includes airway protection. Therefore, in older healthy adults, it is not uncommon for the bolus to remain adjacent to an open airway due to pooling or pocketing in the pharyngeal recesses, for a longer period than in younger adults.