What is another term used for the act of swallowing?

The term "deglutition" refers specifically to the process of swallowing, which involves the coordinated movement of the muscles in the mouth, throat, and esophagus to move food or liquid from the oral cavity into the stomach. This process is essential for eating and drinking, and it plays a critical role in the gastrointestinal system.

In contrast, peristalsis is the involuntary contraction of muscles that moves food along the digestive tract after it has been swallowed, digestion refers to the chemical and mechanical breakdown of food into nutrients, and ingestion is the act of taking food or drink into the body. Each of these terms relates to the digestive process but does not specifically denote the act of swallowing itself. Hence, "deglutition" is the most accurate term for this function.