Definitions

aspiration

Inhaling food, liquid, or secretions into the lungs, which usually triggers the coughing reflex. Normally these substances are swallowed and travel through the esophagus to the stomach without entering the airway.

bolus

A mass of food or drink that is prepared for swallowing by chewing or manipulating in the mouth.

bronchi/bronchus

The large tubes that lead from the trachea into the lungs. They branch off and become smaller as they go deeper into the lungs. Bronchi means more than one; bronchus means just one of the tubes. The left bronchus leads to the left lung; the right bronchus leads to the right lung.

congenital

A condition present at birth.

dysphagia

A condition that causes swallowing problems. A variety of physical issues can lead to dysphagia, including neuromuscular disorders, anatomical defects, developmental delays, and more.

ECMO - extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

ECMO is a life support machine that temporarily provides oxygen in the bloodstream without the use of the patient’s heart and lungs. Sometimes ECMO is used during open cleft repairs to allow the surgeon the ability to work directly in the patient’s airway.

ENT - otolaryngologist

A doctor who specializes in the ear, nose, and throat.

epiglottis

A flap of cartilage that covers the opening to the larynx and prevents food and liquid from leaking into the airway.

esophagus

The tube that carries food and liquids from the throat to the stomach. Also known as the food pipe.

GER - gastroesophageal reflux

A condition where stomach contents travel back up the esophagus and sometimes re-enter the mouth. While common in babies, GER is more common in children with a laryngeal cleft and can cause a variety of problems.

GI - gastroenterologist

A doctor who specializes in the digestive system, which includes the esophagus, stomach, intestines, etc.

laryngeal penetration

When food, liquids, or secretions enter the larynx, but remain above the vocal cords. In aspiration, these substances travel down through the vocal cords and into the trachea. Penetration is considered less dangerous than aspiration, but both are abnormal.

larynx

A hollow organ that contains the vocal cords and controls breathing, speaking, and swallowing. Also known as the voice box.

microaspiration

Tiny amounts of food, liquid, or secretions inhaled into the lungs.

neurologist

A doctor who specializes in the nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.

pulmonologist

A doctor who specializes in the respiratory system, which includes the lungs, trachea, larynx, etc.

radiologist

A doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating medical conditions using imaging procedures, such as X-rays.

scope

Doctors use a variety of scopes to see inside the human body. A scope is a thin tube with a camera and light on the end. Some are flexible, while others are rigid. Doctors use a laryngoscope to directly view the larynx and a bronchoscope to view the trachea and lungs. Bronchoscopes may be flexible or rigid.

A laryngoscope, used to view the larynx.

silent aspiration

Inhaling food, liquids, or secretions into the lungs, without experiencing the normal coughing reflex.

SLP - speech-language pathologist

A medical professional who specializes swallowing and communication problems.

stoma

An surgically-created opening in the body. Certain medical tubes are inserted into the body through a stoma. For example, a G-tube goes through a stoma into the stomach, and a trach tube goes through a stoma into the trachea.

thoracic inlet

The junction between the neck and the chest through which many important structures pass, such as the trachea and nerves.

trachea

A tube that leads from the larynx to the bronchi. Also known as the windpipe.

vocal cords

Two muscular bands located inside the larynx. The voice is created when air travels from the lungs across the vibrating vocal cords. When closed, the cords help protect the airway.