Educational Information

ENT Terms:

Ears

Cholesteatoma - A cyst-like sac most commonly found in the middle ear; can enlarge and destroy nearby bones.

Dizziness (see Vertigo)

Ear Infections (see Otitis Externa and Otitis Media)

Eustachian Tube Dysfunction - The tube that connects the ear to the throat is not working properly; blockage of the tube leads to ear infections or pressure.

Fullness in the Ears - Sense that the ears are plugged.

Hearing Loss - Loss of hearing that can be caused by a variety of factors.

Impacted Cerumen - Earwax that has accumulated in the ear canal and frequently needs to be removed by a professional.

Labyrinthitis - Inflammation of the passages of the inner ear (labyrinths), which can cause dizziness and vomiting.

Mastoiditis - Inflammation or infection of the mastoid bone, which is located behind the ear.

Meniere’s Disease - Condition characterized by symptoms such as hearing loss, ringing in the ear, dizziness, and a sensation of fullness or pressure in the ears.

Otalgia - Earache or pain in the ear.

Otitis Externa - Inflammation or infection of the outside of the ear or ear canal.

Otitis Media - Inflammation or infection of the middle ear.

Otorrhea - Drainage from the ear.

Otosclerosis - A condition characterized by hardening of the bones in the ear which can cause hearing loss.

Ringing in the ears (see Tinnitus)

Sudden Hearing Loss - Hearing loss that occurs within a short period of time.

Tinnitus - Ringing, buzzing, humming, or clicking sound in the ears.

Tympanic Membrane Perforation - A hole in the eardrum.

Tympanosclerosis - Scarring of the eardrum.

Vertigo - Sensation of moving around in space or of having objects move around the person.

Face

Bell’s Palsy - Paralysis of the face thought to be caused by a swelling of the facial nerve.

Facial Fracture - A broken bone in the face.

Neuralgia - Pain caused by inflammation or injury to a nerve.

TMJ Syndrome (Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome) - Severe aching in the joint of the jaw, made worse by chewing.

Throat & Mouth

Adenoiditis - Inflammation of the adenoids, the lymphatic tissue in the back wall of the nose.

Aphthous Stomatitis - Canker sores.

Dysphagia - Difficulty swallowing.

Epiglottitis - Inflammation or infection of the epiglottis, the flap of cartilage behind the tongue.

Gastroesophageal Reflux (Reflux Esophagitis) - The return of stomach acid and contents back into the esophagus, often causing heartburn.

Globus Sensation - A feeling of a lump in the throat.

Hoarseness - Voice disturbance or voice change.

Hypertrophy (Tonsils with Adenoids) - Enlargement of tonsil/adenoid area.

Laryngitis - Vocal cord inflammation, often causing hoarseness.

Odynophagia - Painful swallowing.

Paralysis of the Vocal Cords - Vocal cord(s) that do not move.

Pharyngitis - Inflammation of the throat.

Peritonsillar Abscess - Infection in a pocket behind the tonsils.

Stomatitis - Inflammation in the mouth.

Stridor - Harsh sound produced when breathing.

Tonsils - Lymphatic tissue located on the sides of the throat.

Tonsillitis - Inflammation or infection of the tonsils.

Uvula - Fleshy structure that hangs down the back of the throat.

Vocal Cords - Membranous folds stretched across the larynx, which produce sound by their vibrations as air passes between them.

Vocal Cord Polyps or Nodules - Growths on the vocal cords, which can cause changes in the voice.

Chest

Asthma - Condition characterized by difficult breathing, often with cough or wheezing, caused by tightening of the bronchial tubes and swelling of the linings of the airways.

Bronchitis - Inflammation of the mucous membrane (lining) of the bronchial tubes of the lungs, typically caused by infection or irritation of the lungs, which are the breathing passageways in the chest.

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) - Chronic airway obstruction that results from emphysema, chronic bronchitis, asthma, or a combination of these disorders.

Cough - A protective reflex that occurs when an irritant stimulates one of the several cough receptors in the airway.

Croup - Childhood disease characterized by a barking cough and difficult breathing.

Wheezing - Whistling sounds that occur with difficult breathing due to swelling or blockage of the airways.

Head & Neck

Lymphadenopathy - Enlarged lymph nodes (glands).

Parotitis - Inflammation of the parotid gland, the salivary gland situated in front of

Sialadenitis - Inflammation of the salivary gland, which produces saliva in the mouth.

Sialolithiasis - Presence of tiny, stone-like substances in the salivary gland.

Thyroid & Parathyroid

Goiter - Enlargement of the thyroid gland, located in the front of the neck.

Parathyroid Glands - Four small endocrine glands lying close to the posterior surface of the thyroid gland. The gland secretes the hormone parathormone.

Thyroid and Parathyroid Diseases - Any of several conditions that result when the thyroid or parathyroid glands produce too little or too much hormone.

Thyroid Gland - Ductless gland found on both sides of the trachea. Secretes thyroxine which controls metabolism.

Thyroid Nodule - A little knot of cells on the thyroid gland.

Thyroiditis - Inflammation of the thyroid gland.

Nose & Sinus

Allergic Rhinitis - Inflammation of the lining of the nose caused by allergies.

Anosmia - Is a lack of functioning olfaction or in other words, an inability to perceive odors.

Deviated Nasal Septum - A bend in the bony wall that divides the two sides of the nose.

Epistaxis - Bleeding from the nose. See also What Causes Nosebleeds.

Hypertrophy of Turbinates - Enlargement of tissue located in the nose that often causes difficult nasal breathing.

Nasal Contusion - Bruising of the nasal bone or linings.

Nasal Fracture - Broken nose.

Nasal Polyp – A small growth of inflammatory tissue found in the nose.

Nosebleed (see Epistaxis and What Causes Nosebleeds)

Sinusitis - Inflammation or infection of a sinus.

Vestibulitis - Inflammation or infection of the nose lining.

General Conditions

Foreign Body - An object in an abnormal location which can cause obstruction and infection.

Inflammation - The reaction of tissue to an injury or insult, resulting in swelling of the offended area.

Infection - Occurs when the body or portion of the body is invaded by an organism such as bacteria or virus.

Sleep Apnea - A disorder characterized by the inability to breathe during sleep.

Snoring - The noise produced while breathing through the mouth during sleep.

Speech/Language Disorder - Problems with producing words or individual sounds.

Tumors - Benign or malignant masses.

Allergy

Allergic Conjunctivitis - Inflammation of the tissue lining of the eyelid due to exposure to allergens.

Allergic Hives (Urticaria) - Swollen red bumps or blotches that appear on the skin, often accompanied by intense itching.

Allergy Testing (Serial Endpoint Titration Method) - A series of needle pricks to determine which airborne allergens the individual is allergic to and the degree to which the individual is allergic to each one.

Allergic Rhinitis - Inflammation of the nasal tissue, often due to sensitivity to an allergen.

Anaphylaxis - A life-threatening allergic hypersensitive reaction of the body to a foreign protein or drug.

Spirometry - Measurement of breathing capacity with a spirometer.