otolaryngologi

Otolaryngology, also known as ENT (ear, nose, and throat), is a medical and surgical specialty focused on disorders of the head and neck, with an emphasis on the ears, the upper airway, nasal passages and sinuses, the throat, and related structures. The field also covers balance disorders, voice and swallowing problems, and tumor diseases of the head and neck. Subspecialties include pediatric otolaryngology, otology/neurotology, rhinology, laryngology, and head and neck surgery.

Otolaryngologists diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions. Common problems include hearing loss and balance disorders, ear infections, tinnitus, sinusitis, nasal obstruction and allergies, voice disorders, swallowing difficulties, sleep-disordered breathing such as obstructive sleep apnea, and benign or malignant tumors of the head and neck. Diagnostic tools often used are physical examination with an otoscope or endoscope, audiometry, imaging (CT or MRI), and specialized endoscopic procedures.

Treatment may be medical or surgical. Medical management includes medications for infections, allergies, reflux, and inflammation. Surgical interventions cover tonsil and adenoid removal, ear surgery (for example, tympanoplasty or cochlear implantation), sinus and nasal surgeries, nasal valve and turbinate procedures, voice and airway procedures, and thyroid or neck surgery. In children and adults, ENT surgeons may work as part of multidisciplinary teams for airway management, cancer care, and rehabilitation.

Otolaryngology requires medical education, residency training, and often fellowship specialization. Practitioners work in hospitals, clinics, and academic centers, providing comprehensive care across the lifespan.