Swallowing is a complex motor process that involves multiple brain regions and neural networks. Central nervous system diseases can lead to dysphagia. Functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI) displays the relationship between the structure and function of the central nervous system, while diffusion tensor imaging(DTI) provides clear observation of the integrity of brain white matter fibers. This article reviews the relevant literature on multimodal magnetic resonance imaging research on swallowing and dysphagia.