COMD 2357 Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Swallowing
This course is designed to provide students of communication sciences and disorders with an in-depth exploration of the anatomy and physiology of speech production and swallowing. Around two-thirds of the course will be dedicated to the exploration of the systems responsible for speech production. They will explore in-depth the anatomy of skeletal and soft-tissue structures responsible respiration, phonation and articulation. They will develop a cohesive and comprehensive description of the mechanics of respiration, phonation, and articulation. This will include normal respiratory, phonation and articulatory norms and rates across the life span. This part will also provide a brief overview of speech motor production including the neurological systems and networks responsible for motor planning and programming, initiation of motor movements, and coordination and refinement of motor movements. The rest of the course will focus on feeding and swallowing in the neurotypical population. Students will explore the anatomic structures responsible for feeding and swallowing. They will develop a detailed cohesive and sequential description of the various phases including oral preparatory and mastication; the pharyngeal phase and the esophageal phase.