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The Cross-Sectional Area of the Middle and Base of the Tongue is Associated with Swallowing-Related Muscle Strength

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Abstract

Muscle strength and function are generally positively correlated with muscle quantity and negatively correlated with muscle quality; however, the tongue shows a unique tendency, different from limb muscles. The relationship between the characteristics of each part of the tongue, muscle strength and function, and systemic factors has been unclear. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between cross-sectional area (CSA) and echo intensity (EI) of the middle and base of the tongue and swallowing, articulation function, and body composition. Eighty-nine healthy individuals were included in this cross-sectional study. Swallowing was assessed using tongue pressure (TP) and jaw opening force (JOF) as they indicate swallowing-related muscle strength. Articulation function was evaluated through oral diadochokinesis (ODK). Bioelectrical impedance analysis was performed for body composition. CSAs and EIs of the middle and base of the tongue were measured using ultrasound. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between the characteristics of the tongue, swallowing-related muscle strength, and ODK. In multiple regression analysis with TP as the dependent variable, age (β = − 0.22, P < 0.01) and CSA of the middle part (β = 0.02, P < 0.01) were significant explanatory variables. In multiple regression analysis with JOF as the dependent variable, sex (β = − 2.76, P < 0.01) and CSA of the base (β = − 0.004, P < 0.05) were significant explanatory variables. Multiple regression analysis with articulation function as the dependent variable did not yield significant results. The CSA of the tongue is a better indicator of swallowing-related muscle strength than EI. Ultrasonography may be used for assessing swallowing-related muscle strength.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Editage for editing and proofreading this manuscript for English language and all staff members and participants of the study.

Funding

The authors did not receive support from any organization for the submitted work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dysphagia Rehabilitation, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan

    Kohei Yamaguchi, Kazuharu Nakagawa, Kanako Yoshimi, Ayako Nakane, Takuma Okumura & Haruka Tohara

  2. Department of Preventive Dentistry, Naresuan University, 99 Moo 9, Phitsanulok-Nakhon Sawan Road, Tha Pho, Mueang Phitsanlok, Phitsanulok, 65000, Thailand

    Chantaramanee Ariya

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  1. Kohei Yamaguchi
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  2. Kazuharu Nakagawa
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  5. Ayako Nakane
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  6. Takuma Okumura
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  7. Haruka Tohara
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Contributions

KY involved in conceptualization, methodology, formal analysis, writing-original draft, review, and editing. KN participated in validation, data curation, writing-review, and editing. KY and CA took part in investigation, data curation, and resources. AN and TO did formal analysis and resources. HT contributed in supervision, project administration, writing-review, and editing.

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Correspondence to Kohei Yamaguchi.

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The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

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This study was approved by the Tokyo Medical and Dental University Ethics Committee (Ref: D2014-047).

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Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Yamaguchi, K., Nakagawa, K., Yoshimi, K. et al. The Cross-Sectional Area of the Middle and Base of the Tongue is Associated with Swallowing-Related Muscle Strength. Dysphagia 37, 1723–1731 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00455-022-10431-7

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