Swallowing Physiology
Anatomy and Physiology of Deglutition
Are you caring for someone who has difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)? Understand more about the complex physiological mechanisms involved. Award-winning UC academics share their latest insights in this field.
There are no prerequisites for this course, but a basic understanding of anatomy and physiology will help you understand the more technical terminology.
This course is for anyone interested in learning more about the anatomy and physiology of swallowing.
People diagnosed with issues related to dysphagia and those with a professional interest will benefit from this course.
Technology Requirements
We recommend a laptop or desktop computer and a reliable internet connection. For most courses you'll need to download and populate assignments. These are usually available in Microsoft Word.
Course fees
Course fees must be paid before learning can begin, either via online credit-card payment, or by contacting info@uconline.ac.nz to request an invoice. Please note: fixed invoice payment dates apply, so we recommend getting in touch with us as soon as possible to request an invoice, as this option is subject to availability.
- Module 1 = 10% (submit assessment 1)
- Module 2 = 25% (submit assessment 2)
- Module 3 = 10% (submit assessment 3)
- Module 4 = 10% (submit assessment 4)
- Module 5 = 45% (submit assessment 5)

Dr Phoebe Macrae
Senior Lecturer | Deputy Director of the University of Canterbury Rose Centre for Stroke Recovery and Research

Professor Maggie-Lee Huckabee
Distinguished Professor | Director of the University of Canterbury Rose Centre for Stroke Recovery and Research
Coming soon
Coming soon
This course is ideal for
- Speech and language pathologists
- Nurses and nurse aids
- Physiotherapists
- Occupational therapists
- Otolaryngologists
- Specialists or clinicians who advise on swallowing disorders
What you'll learn
- The anatomical, physiological, and developmental mechanisms that support normal deglutition
- The major structures of the upper aerodigestive tract and their purpose for swallowing-related functions
- The role of nervous system structures for sensorimotor control of swallowing processes
This course includes
- 5 Modules
- 5 Assessments
- Drop-in online synchronous sessions with instructors (Q & A style)
- Audio and video – Closed caption English transcripts available
