Why Food gets stuck between palatoglossal arch and palatine tonsil?

The palatoglossal arch and the palatine tonsils play important roles in swallowing and preventing food from entering the nasal cavity. The palatoglossal arch, also known as the anterior pillar, is a muscular fold that connects the soft palate to the base of the tongue. The palatine tonsils are two small glands located on either side of the back of the throat.

Normally, when we swallow, the palatoglossal arches elevate and the palatine tonsils move closer together to create a seal that prevents food and liquid from going into the nose. However, in some cases, food particles or small objects can become trapped in the crevices or folds between the palatoglossal arch and the palatine tonsil. This can happen for a number of reasons, such as:

Large pieces of food: If you eat large bites of food without chewing them thoroughly, they may not be broken down into small enough pieces to pass through the throat easily. This can cause them to get caught between the palatoglossal arch and the palatine tonsils.

Certain types of foods: Some foods, such as meats with a lot of connective tissue, sticky foods like candy, or fibrous foods like celery, can be more likely to get stuck because of their texture or consistency.

Rapid swallowing: If you swallow quickly without taking the time to chew your food properly, you are more likely to get food stuck in the crevices of your throat.

Swallowing difficulties: People with dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, may also be more likely to experience food getting stuck in their throats due to impaired coordination of the muscles involved in swallowing.

In most cases, food that gets stuck between the palatoglossal arch and the palatine tonsils is not a serious problem and can be easily dislodged by coughing, gargling with salt water, or drinking water. However, in rare cases, if food becomes impacted and cannot be removed easily, it may require medical intervention, such as the use of an endoscope to clear the obstruction.

To reduce your risk of getting food stuck in the crevices of your throat, it is important to chew your food slowly and thoroughly, avoid eating large pieces of food, and avoid foods that are known to cause swallowing difficulties. If you have dysphagia, talk to your doctor or speech therapist for advice and support.