CSD 432Introduction to Deglutition

3 credits · Communication Sciences and Disorders · Penn State

This course will provide the CSD major with foundational knowledge on the anatomy, physiology, and neurology of the typical, healthy swallowing process (deglutition). This is an elective course for CSD majors and should be taken during the third or fourth year of the major. The overarching goal of this course is to provide the student with a comprehensive foundation on the swallow and to better prepare the student for their graduate course in dysphagia. Through lectures and experiential learning, students will be expected to: (a) understand the anatomy, physiology, and neurology of the typical swallow; (b) understand the different stages of the typical swallow; (c) understand various methods of clinical and instrumental evaluation techniques used to assess the swallow; (d) understand the importance of the ability to swallow on a person's overall quality of life; and (e) understand the legal issues surrounding a person's ability to swallow.