Etymology and Terminology
- Otorhinolaryngology is derived from four Ancient Greek words: οὖς (ear), ῥίς (nose), λάρυγξ (larynx), and -λογία (study).
- The term is a combination of Neo-Latin combining forms: oto-, rhino-, laryngo-, and -logy.
- The Greek equivalent of otorhinolaryngologist is ωτορινολαρυγγολόγος.
- The etymology of the term reflects its focus on the study of the ear, nose, and throat.
- The term otorhinolaryngology is also known as otolaryngology or ENT.

Training and Specialization
- Otorhinolaryngologists are physicians who complete both medical school and post-graduate surgical training in ORL-H&N.
- In the United States, trainees complete at least five years of surgical residency training, including general surgical training and ORL-H&N specialist surgery.
- In Canada and the United States, practitioners complete a five-year residency training after medical school.
- Some otolaryngologist-head & neck surgeons pursue advanced sub-specialty fellowships in areas such as head and neck surgical oncology, facial plastic surgery, rhinology and sinus surgery, neuro-otology, paediatric otolaryngology, and laryngology.
- Otorhinolaryngology is one of the most competitive specialties in medicine in the United States and Canada.

Fields of Employment and Practice
- Otorhinolaryngologists work in hospitals and clinics.
- They specialize in the surgical and medical management of conditions of the head and neck.
- Patients seek treatment from otorhinolaryngologists for diseases of the ear, nose, throat, base of the skull, head, and neck.
- Otorhinolaryngologists also perform ENT surgery for the management of cancers and benign tumors, as well as reconstruction of the head and neck.
- They may also perform plastic surgery of the face, scalp, and neck.

Microvascular Reconstruction Repair
- Microvascular reconstruction repair is a common operation performed by otorhinolaryngologists.
- It involves moving tissue from the patient's body to the head and/or neck.
- This procedure is used to treat head and neck cancers.
- The tissue commonly moved during this procedure comes from the arms, legs, and back and can include skin, bone, fat, and muscle.
- Microvascular surgery is performed to reconnect the blood vessels of the transplanted tissue to new blood vessels in the neck.

Related Fields
- Otorhinolaryngology is closely related to audiology, which focuses on hearing and balance disorders.
- It is also related to head and neck anatomy and head and neck cancer.
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery is another related field that deals with surgical procedures involving the mouth, jaws, and face.
- Plastic and reconstructive surgery overlaps with otorhinolaryngology in terms of facial plastic surgery and reconstruction.
- Speech-language pathology is another field that works closely with otorhinolaryngologists in the management of speech and swallowing disorders.