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Medical Definition of Somatic swallow
1. A swallowing pattern with muscular contractions which appear to be under control of the person at a subconscious level; distinguished from visceral swallow. Visceral swallow, the immature swallowing pattern of an infant or a person with tongue thrust, resembling peristaltic wavelike muscular contractions observed in the gut; adult or mature swallowing is more volitional and therefore somatic. (05 Mar 2000)