Functional Swallowing Units (FSUs) as organs-at-risk for radiotherapy. PART 1: Physiology and anatomy.

CONCLUSION: Functional swallowing units (FSUs) were defined as groups of swallowing muscles sharing their function, that are in close proximity to each other. Seven FSUs involved in HLE, TBR and tongue motion were identified: floor of mouth, thyrohyoid muscles, posterior digastric/stylohyoid muscles complex, longitudinal pharyngeal muscles, hyoglossus/styloglossus muscles complex, genioglossus muscles, intrinsic tongue muscles. The swallowing physiology and anatomy of the FSUs described in this paper will lead to a greater understanding of radiation-induced dysphagia mechanisms and, consequently, to an improvement in the development of swallowing sparing strategies. This article (PART 1) serves as the theoretical foundation for a subsequent article (PART 2), which provides detailed delineation guidelines for FSUs. PMID: 30420235 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Radiotherapy and Oncology : journal of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology - Category: Radiology Authors: Tags: Radiother Oncol Source Type: research