Pharyngeal function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis of the cervical spine and temporomandibular joint.

Pharyngeal function was studied in 31 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Eighteen of these patients had dysphagia. Cervical spine abnormalities were present in 14. Destruction of the capitulum and/or ramus of the mandible was registered in 9. Pharyngeal dysfunction was revealed in 20. Patients with a vertical dislocation of the C1-C2 in relation to the occipital bone and patients with destruction of the capitulum and/or ramus of the mandible had an increased frequency of pharyngeal dysfunction. Pharyngeal dysfunction is thought to be due to mechanical factors and caused by derangements of muscular attachments and turning points.