What term describes the process of chewing?

Mastication is the correct term for the process of chewing, as it refers specifically to the mechanical breakdown of food by the teeth. This process involves the coordination of the jaw muscles to crush and grind the food, making it easier to swallow and digest. Chewing is a critical initial step in digestion, as it increases the surface area of food, allowing enzymes in the saliva to begin breaking down carbohydrates.

In the context of the other options, deglutition refers to the act of swallowing, which occurs after mastication has taken place. Ingestion is the broader term for taking food or drink into the body, encompassing both the act of chewing and swallowing, but not specifically describing the chewing process. Dysphagia, on the other hand, refers to difficulty swallowing, which is an entirely different concept related to the inability to effectively move food from the mouth to the esophagus. Thus, mastication distinctly defines the process of chewing.