What is the process called when the constrictor muscles in the pharynx squeeze a bolus through?

The process in which the constrictor muscles in the pharynx work to squeeze a bolus through is known as deglutition. This term specifically refers to the act of swallowing, encompassing all the movements and actions that take place from the moment food or liquid enters the mouth until it reaches the esophagus.

During deglutition, the food is propelled through the pharynx by a series of coordinated muscle contractions, which include the action of the constrictor muscles. These muscles contract sequentially to push the bolus down toward the esophagus and into the digestive tract.

Peristalsis refers to the wave-like muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract, particularly in the esophagus and intestines, but it is not specific to the action of the pharynx. Phonation involves the production of sound through the larynx and is unrelated to the swallowing process. Respiration is the process of breathing and also does not pertain to the movement of food. Therefore, deglutition is the accurate term for the process involving the constrictor muscles of the pharynx during swallowing.