Compass is still being developed and is effectively in beta. Some content and features may be incomplete, change, or not work as expected.

Content is anchored to trusted sources where available, but Compass has not yet been clinically reviewed. It provides general information rather than medical advice.

Feedback helps us identify gaps, errors, usability problems and opportunities to improve Compass over time.

How Compass is developedGive feedback

Tests and measurements

Videofluoroscopy

A moving X-ray of swallowing, taken while you eat and drink, to see exactly where the difficulty is.

What it means

You swallow food and drink mixed with a substance that shows on X-ray, while the swallow is filmed. It shows what is happening out of sight, including whether anything is entering the airway without causing a cough.

Why you might hear it

  • A speech pathologist may arrange it when a bedside assessment leaves questions.
  • It is what allows a specific rather than a general recommendation.

People who may help

Where Compass goes into this

About this explanation

These are plain explanations of words you may come across, not advice about your own situation. Where a word matters to a decision, the question pages go into it properly, and your own team is the place to take it.