Which structures assist in positioning the food bolus during swallowing?

During bolus preparation and swallowing, the buccinator muscle keeps food pressed against the teeth during mastication and prevents food from accumulating in the vestibule, the mentalis muscle assists in sealing the lips to maintain intraoral pressure, and the tongue is the primary manipulator of the food bolus. Together, these structures shape and position the bolus on the tongue for propulsion into the pharynx. The mylohyoid elevates the floor of the mouth during swallowing. The pterygoid and masseter/temporalis muscles are primarily masticatory (jaw movement) rather than bolus-positioning structures.