Etymology and Terminology
- Otorhinolaryngology is derived from four Ancient Greek words: οὖς (ear), ῥίς (nose), λάÏυγξ (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 ωτοÏινολαÏυγγολόγος.
- 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, pediatric 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.
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Otorhinolaryngology (/oʊtoʊˌraɪnoʊˌlærɪnˈɡɒlədʒi/ oh-toh-RY-noh-LARR-in-GOL-ə-jee, abbreviated ORL and also known as otolaryngology, otolaryngology – head and neck surgery (ORL–H&N or OHNS), or ear, nose, and throat (ENT) ) is a surgical subspeciality within medicine that deals with the surgical and medical management of conditions of the head and neck. Doctors who specialize in this area are called otorhinolaryngologists, otolaryngologists, head and neck surgeons, or ENT surgeons or physicians. Patients seek treatment from an otorhinolaryngologist for diseases of the ear, nose, throat, base of the skull, head, and neck. These commonly include functional diseases that affect the senses and activities of eating, drinking, speaking, breathing, swallowing, and hearing. In addition, ENT surgery encompasses the surgical management of cancers and benign tumors and reconstruction of the head and neck as well as plastic surgery of the face, scalp, and neck.
Significant diseases | Dizziness, Head and neck cancer, Sinusitis, Chronic ear disease, Hoarseness, Nasal obstruction |
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Specialist | Otorhinolaryngologist |
Glossary | Glossary of medicine |
Occupation | |
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Names |
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Occupation type | Specialty |
Activity sectors | Medicine, Surgery |
Description | |
Education required |
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Fields of employment | Hospitals, Clinics |
From oto- (“ear”) + rhino- (“nose”) + laryngo- (“throat”) + -logy.