Introduction
dysphagia, palate, mastication and deglutition
DYSPHAGIA, POSTERIOR
The tongue heavily interacts with the hard and soft palate during speech production as well as mastication and deglutition, cooperating with the lips, mandible, pharynx, and larynx. Therefore, tongue function impairment negatively influences speech production, masticatory, and swallowing movements, leading to dysphagia. Quantitative evaluation of the tongue function is essential for dysphagia rehabilitation, and tongue pressure (TP) is used as a quantitative and convenient index of tongue strength. However, decreased TP is associated with reduced swallowing and masticatory functionThe tongue right positioner (TRP) (Fig. Views of the tongue right positioner. Left: Occlusal view; Right: Posterior view.