SEMEIOTICA ORL

[1003ME]
a.a. 2025/2026

Full year

Frequency Mandatory

  • 2 CFU
  • 20 hours
  • ITALIAN
  • Trieste
  • Obbligatoria
  • Oral Exam
  • SSD MED/31
  • Advanced concepts and skills
Curricula: COMMON
Syllabus

1. Knowledge and Understanding: Speech therapy students will acquire a solid theoretical foundation on the fundamental principles of semiology applied to otorhinolaryngological pathologies, with a particular focus on areas relevant to speech therapy, such as vocal dysfunctions, language disorders, and swallowing pathologies. They will understand the anatomy and physiology of the otorhinolaryngological system and the pathological mechanisms that can affect voice, language, and swallowing. Additionally, they will learn how these pathologies manifest through clinical signs and symptoms detectable during clinical assessment. 2. Applying Knowledge and Understanding: Students will be able to apply the knowledge gained to identify and understand clinical signs related to voice, language, and swallowing disorders during patient assessments. They will collaborate effectively with otorhinolaryngologists in performing basic clinical examinations and interpreting diagnostic results, using this information to contribute to the design of appropriate speech therapy rehabilitation plans. 3. Making Judgements: Students will develop the ability to make independent judgments on how the clinical data collected from otorhinolaryngological evaluations may influence the speech therapy approach. They will be able to recognize signs and symptoms that require further diagnostic investigation or specialist consultation and identify the most suitable strategies for voice, language, or swallowing rehabilitation based on an integrated assessment of medical and speech therapy data. 4. Communication Skills: Students will learn to communicate clearly and effectively with patients, families, and other healthcare professionals. They will be able to explain the issues identified during the semiological evaluation and collaborate with doctors and fellow speech therapists to develop therapeutic plans. Additionally, they will develop the ability to convey information about patients' conditions and rehabilitation goals in an understandable way. 5. Learning Skills: The course will foster the ability of speech therapy students to learn autonomously and stay updated in the field of otorhinolaryngology semiology and speech therapy, especially concerning new developments in the diagnosis and management of vocal, language, and swallowing pathologies. They will be able to critically analyze scientific literature and apply new knowledge to speech therapy practice.

There are no prerequisites since the course is basic. No propedeuticity is required.

The course begins with the general principles of semiology and the functional anatomy of the ear, nose, and throat, including essential diagnostic tools. It then covers ear semiology, focusing on otoscopy and the differential diagnosis of tinnitus, hearing loss, and vertigo. The next module explores the semiology of the nose and paranasal sinuses, with specific clinical exams and differential diagnoses. The oral cavity and pharynx are examined, focusing on tonsillar pathologies and dysphagia. The larynx is addressed through laryngoscopy techniques and the diagnosis of dysphonia. Finally, salivary glands and neck masses are studied using clinical techniques and instrumental diagnostics such as ultrasound and CT scans.

1) Albera & Rossi Otorinolaringoiatria 2) Pignataro Trattato di otorinolaringoiatria 3) Boscolo-Rizzo & Da Mosto Argomenti di Otorinolaringoiatria

In the first module, the general principles of semiology will be introduced, with an overview of the functional anatomy of the ear, nose, and throat. Specific anamnesis principles for otorhinolaryngology will be discussed, and essential diagnostic tools such as the otoscope, nasal speculum, and laryngeal mirror will be presented. The second module will focus on the semiology of the ear. Students will learn how to conduct a specific anamnesis and identify ear-related symptoms. Techniques of clinical examination through inspection and palpation will be taught, with particular attention to otoscopy and interpretation of findings. Topics such as differential diagnosis of tinnitus, hearing loss, and vertigo, as well as interpretation of basic audiometric tests, will be covered. In the third module, the semiology of the nose and paranasal sinuses will be addressed. Students will learn how to perform specific anamnesis and recognize nasal symptoms. The technique of clinical examination of the nose, including inspection and rhinoscopy, will be explained. Differential diagnosis of rhinitis, semiology of sinusitis, and related diagnostic tests will be discussed. The fourth module will focus on the semiology of the oral cavity and pharynx. Symptoms and clinical signs of the throat will be analyzed, and techniques for clinical examination of the oral cavity and pharynx will be explored. Students will learn to diagnose pathologies of the tonsils and uvula, as well as assess dysphagia and odynophagia through differential diagnosis. In the fifth module, the semiology of the larynx will be examined. Students will learn to recognize specific symptoms of the larynx and conduct a clinical examination using indirect laryngoscopy. Major pathologies of the voice, such as dysphonia and aphonia, and the differential diagnosis of laryngeal lesions will be covered. Advanced diagnostic tools like direct laryngoscopy will also be introduced. The sixth module will address the semiology of the salivary glands and neck. Students will learn clinical examination techniques for the salivary glands and the differential diagnosis of neck masses, focusing on conditions such as sialadenitis and sialolithiasis. In the seventh module, the semiology of neck masses will be discussed. Students will learn to identify and classify cervical masses based on their anatomical location, patient age, and clinical history. Signs and symptoms that help distinguish congenital, inflammatory, neoplastic, and other types of masses will be covered. Techniques for clinical examination of the neck and diagnostic approaches, including ultrasound, CT scan, and fine needle aspiration, will be explored. The next module will discuss the importance of imaging in otorhinolaryngology. The use of radiographs, CT scans, and MRI for the diagnosis of ear, nose, and throat pathologies will be analyzed, along with ultrasound for the neck and salivary glands.

Frontal lessons integrated with slides and videos.

Teaching materials provided by the teacher.

The student’s evaluation includes a final written exam consisting of 31 multiple-choice questions (with only one correct answer). The exam score is given on a scale of 30. For each correct answer, 1 point will be awarded. For each incorrect answer, -0.25 points will be deducted. If no answer is provided, 0 points will be given. To pass the exam (18/30), the student must demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the topics covered in class and score at least 18 points. To achieve the maximum score (30/30 with honors), the student must demonstrate excellent knowledge of the topics covered in class and correctly answer all the questions.

This teaching module explores topics closely related to one or more objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of the United Nations.

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