otolaryngology

noun

oto·​lar·​yn·​gol·​o·​gy ˌō-tō-ˌler-ən-ˈgä-lə-jē 

-ˌla-rən-

: a medical specialty concerned especially with the ear, nose, and throat and related parts of the head and neck

When needed for a middle ear reconstruction, the cartilage can easily be tailored further in the operating room to meet the patient's precise anatomic needs, says Dr. Richard A. Chole, chairman of the department of otolaryngology and head and neck surgery at the University of California at Davis.

—Katie Tyndall

called also otorhinolaryngology

otolaryngological

ˌō-tō-ˌler-ən-gə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 

-ˌla-rən-

adjective

or otolaryngologic

ˌō-tō-ˌler-ən-gə-ˈlä-jik 

-ˌla-rən-

otolaryngological examinations

otolaryngologic symptoms

Examples of otolaryngology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The conflict of information is what leads to motion sickness, said Anand K. Bery, MD, a neurologist at Mass Eye and Ear and instructor in otolaryngology–head and neck surgery at Harvard Medical School. —Korin Miller, Verywell Health, 11 Oct. 2024

Other specialty areas including cardiology, dermatology, physical rehabilitation, otolaryngology and gastroenterology. —Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2024

Further Reading Worm that jumps from rats to slugs to human brains has invaded Southeast US In a short clinical report published in this week's issue, doctors in Tainan City, Taiwan, detail the case of a 64-year-old woman who sought care at an otolaryngology (ENT) clinic. —Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 25 Oct. 2023

The struggle to treat parosmia Doctors aren’t sure why stellate ganglion block seems effective in some people with long Covid, said Dr. Kristine Smith, an assistant professor of otolaryngology at University of Utah Health. —Aria Bendix, NBC News, 20 Nov. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1897, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

otolaryngology

noun

oto·​lar·​yn·​gol·​o·​gy ˈōt-ō-ˌlar-ən-ˈgäl-ə-jē 

: a medical specialty concerned with the ear, nose, and throat

Medical Definition

otolaryngology

noun

oto·​lar·​yn·​gol·​o·​gy ˌōt-ō-ˌlar-ən-ˈgäl-ə-jē 

plural otolaryngologies

: a medical specialty concerned especially with the ear, nose, and throat and related parts of the head and neck

called also otorhinolaryngology

otolaryngological

ˌōt-ō-ˌlar-ən-gə-ˈläj-i-kəl 

adjective

or otolaryngologic

ˌōt-ō-ˌlar-ən-gə-ˈläj-ik