Meaning & use
otolaryngology
Last updated
Meaning
noununcountablemedical
The branch of medicine that deals with diseases and surgery of the ears, nose and throat, and related parts of the head and neck.
Grammar: Uncountable, with no plural: she specializes in otolaryngology.
Patterns
- specialize in otolaryngology
- a department of otolaryngology
- a professor of otolaryngology
She trained in otolaryngology after medical school.
The hospital's otolaryngology department treats hearing loss and sinus disease.
He gave a lecture on advances in otolaryngology.
Common combinations
- department of otolaryngology
- The department of otolaryngology is on the third floor.
- specialize in otolaryngology
- He chose to specialize in otolaryngology.
- pediatric otolaryngology
- Pediatric otolaryngology focuses on ear and throat problems in children.
- otolaryngology surgeon
- An otolaryngology surgeon removed the polyps.
Synonyms and how they differ
- ENT
- ENT is the everyday short form and is the one patients and clinics normally use, while otolaryngology is the full formal name.
- head and neck surgery
- Head and neck surgery is a related focus on operations in that region, and is narrower than otolaryngology.
Word family
- otolaryngologist noun
- a doctor who specializes in the ears, nose and throat
- otolaryngological adjective
- relating to otolaryngology
- larynx noun
- the voice box in the throat
- otology noun
- the study of the ear
Commonly confused: otolaryngology or ophthalmology? otolaryngology or laryngology?
otolaryngology vs ophthalmology
Ophthalmology is the branch of medicine for the eyes, while otolaryngology deals with the ears, nose and throat.
otolaryngology vs laryngology
Laryngology is only the study of the larynx and throat, a part of otolaryngology.
Practice
A patient with chronic ear infections and sinus trouble would most likely be referred to a doctor in ___.
Choose one answer.
Otolaryngology covers the ear, nose and throat, so it fits ear and sinus problems. Ophthalmology deals with the eyes, so that tempting similar-looking option is wrong.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “otolaryngology”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.