Université Joseph Fourier

Patrick Levy

Maurice Dematteis

To assess the sensitivity of a subject's pharynx, an open mouthpiece () fitted with a thin guide tube (), having an articulated end (), is inserted into the subject's mouth. A pipe () is inserted into the guide tube, under visual observation through the mouthpiece, until it touches the subject's palate. The position on a measurement scale () provided on the pipe facing a second end of the guide tube is noted, and the pipe is withdrawn over a preset distance, for example 1 cm, and fixed in this position onto the guide tube. A variable gas flow is injected into the pipe and reaches the pharyngeal mucous situated facing the pipe. The sensitivity of the subject's pharynx, measured by the threshold of sense perception, is determined by the lowest flow value perceived by the subject.

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Grenoble, France

Patrick Levy