The sensation that food is stuck in the throat or upper chest signals difficulty swallowing. It may be felt high in the neck or lower down, behind the breastbone (sternum). Swallowing is a complex act that involves the mouth, throat area, and esophagus (the tube that transports food to the stomach).
Many nerves and muscles affect the correct function of these components. Part of the act of swallowing is under conscious (voluntary) control; however, much of swallowing is involuntary.
Problems at any point-from chewing food and moving it into the back of the mouth, to moving the food into the stomach-can result in swallowing difficulties. Frequently, symptoms of chest pain, food stuck in the throat, and heaviness or pressure in the neck or upper chest, result from swallowing difficulties, due to many causes. Your doctor can effectively distinguish among those causes, using a thorough medical history, physical exam, and testing.
