Reference

Medical Dictionary

300 ENT terms selected from a 3,008-entry working corpus. Entries are readable; organic publication requires documented medical review.

Medical review is in progress

These 300 entries are accessible for information. Entries without documented medical sign-off remain excluded from search indexing and entry-level medical structured data.

Rhinoplasty & Nasal Surgery(105)Thyroid & Parathyroid(78)ENT — General(80)Otology & Ear(37)Head & Neck Oncology(0)Laryngology & Voice(0)

ENT — General

80 selected terms

Allergic Fungal Rhinosinusitis (AFRS)

AFRS is a distinct rhinosinusitis phenotype characterised by Type I hypersensitivity to ubiquitous fungi such as Aspergillus, Bipolaris and Curvularia, defined by Bent-Kuhn criteria including total IgE >1000 IU/mL and eosinophilic mucin with scattered fungal hyphae.

Olfactory Training

Olfactory training is a standardised four-odour protocol of rose, eucalyptus, lemon and clove, practised as two 30-second mindful sniffing sessions daily, harnessing olfactory neuroplasticity with proven efficacy in post-viral and post-COVID anosmia.

Posterior Epistaxis

Posterior epistaxis originates from the sphenopalatine artery territory, accounting for 5–10% of all epistaxis cases but more than 50% of hospital admissions, and is more common in older hypertensive patients.

Septal Deviation Grading

Nasal septal deviation is graded by regional anatomy and deformity type using the Cottle or Mladina classification, with the NOSE score and rhinomanometry used to quantify functional impairment.

FESS Complications

FESS complications include major events such as orbital haematoma, optic nerve injury and CSF leak (below 0.5%) and minor events such as synechia and ostial stenosis (15–20%), with intraoperative recognition being critical for management.

Upper Airway Cough Syndrome (UACS)

Upper Airway Cough Syndrome (UACS) is a leading cause of chronic cough (>8 weeks) resulting from mucus stimulation of cough receptors in the pharynx and larynx from allergic rhinitis, vasomotor rhinitis or CRS; the name was updated by ACCP guidelines in 2006.

Turbinate Radiofrequency Ablation

Turbinate radiofrequency ablation applies bipolar RF probe thermal coagulation at 60–80°C to the inferior turbinate submucosa, preserving the overlying mucosa, performed as an office procedure under local anaesthesia.

Orbital Complications of Sinusitis

Orbital complications of sinusitis are classified into five stages by the Chandler classification, forming a serious clinical condition requiring emergency intervention in children and young adults due to infection spreading from the ethmoid sinus via the lamina papyracea.

Drug-Induced Rhinitis

Drug-induced rhinitis encompasses rhinitis medicamentosa from alpha-adrenergic decongestant use >3–5 days, antihypertensive-induced rhinitis from ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers, and AERD (aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease) spectrum.

Tonsil Hypertrophy Grading

Tonsil hypertrophy is graded 0–4 by the Friedman/Brodsky classification; surgical indication is determined by Paradise criteria for recurrent infection or the presence of sleep apnoea with AHI ≥1.

Periorbital vs Orbital Cellulitis Distinction

Periorbital cellulitis is a superficial infection anterior to the orbital septum; orbital cellulitis involves structures posterior to the septum with serious signs including proptosis, painful eye movement and threatened vision, and may require emergency surgical intervention.

Adenotonsillectomy Indications

The AAO-HNS 2019 guideline identifies recurrent throat infection meeting Paradise criteria and PSG-confirmed OSA with AHI ≥1 as strong recommendation-level indications for tonsillectomy.

Referred Otalgia

Referred otalgia is pain radiating to the ear from extra-auricular sources via shared neural pathways of the trigeminal, glossopharyngeal, vagus and cervical nerves; in smokers and drinkers over 50 with normal otoscopy, pharyngolaryngeal malignancy is found in 25% of referred otalgia cases.

Agger Nasi Cells

Agger nasi cells are the most anterior ethmoid air cells located anterosuperior to the middle turbinate attachment, present on CT in 89–98% of the population; prominent cells narrow the frontal recess and predispose to frontal sinusitis.

Onodi Cells (Sphenoethmoidal Cells)

Onodi cells are the posteriormost ethmoid air cells pneumatising superolaterally beyond the sphenoid sinus face, present in 8–14% of the population; when present, the optic nerve courses through or immediately adjacent to the cell in 78% of cases, creating a critical risk in FESS.

Haller Cells (Infraorbital Ethmoid Cells)

Haller cells are infraorbital ethmoid air cells extending between the floor of the orbit and the roof of the maxillary sinus, seen on CT in 10–45% of the population; large cells narrow the infundibulum from above, predisposing to recurrent maxillary sinusitis.

Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction

Nasolacrimal duct obstruction presents as epiphora from congenital Hasner's valve imperforation (affecting 6% of neonates) or acquired primary acquired NLDO typically affecting women over 40 through idiopathic fibrosis.

Nasal Fracture Management

Nasal fracture constitutes 40% of all facial fractures; septal haematoma (same-day drainage urgency) must be excluded, and the optimal window for closed reduction is days 3–14 after swelling subsides.

Biologics in CRS with Nasal Polyps

Three EMA/FDA-approved biologics exist for CRSwNP: dupilumab (anti-IL-4Rα, 2019), mepolizumab (anti-IL-5, 2021) and omalizumab (anti-IgE, 2020); all reduce polyp burden, restore olfaction and lower systemic steroid requirement.

Adenoid Vegetation Diagnosis

Adenoid vegetation is hypertrophy of the nasopharyngeal lymphoid tissue peaking between ages 3–7, potentially causing nasal obstruction, mouth breathing, OSA, Eustachian tube dysfunction and adenoid facies.

Choanal Stenosis/Atresia Surgery

Choanal atresia is a congenital failure of the nasolacrimal membrane to canalise; bilateral form constitutes a neonatal respiratory emergency in obligate nasal breathers and requires early surgical intervention.

Tonsilloliths (Tonsil Stones)

Tonsilloliths are calcified accumulations of food debris, bacteria, desquamated epithelium and mucus within tonsillar crypts with 6–10% prevalence; their most prominent symptom is halitosis from volatile sulphur compound production.

AHI Scoring and OSA Severity

The Apnoea-Hypopnoea Index (AHI) defines the number of apnoeas and hypopnoeas per hour of sleep and is graded as mild (5–14.9), moderate (15–29.9) and severe (≥30) per the AASM/AAO-HNS classification.

Otology & Ear

37 selected terms

Tinnitus (Ringing in the Ears)

The perception of sound — ringing, buzzing or hissing — in the ears or head without an external source. It is a symptom rather than a disease and may have many underlying causes.

Vertigo (Dizziness)

A sensation of spinning of the environment or self; most commonly caused by inner ear balance disorders.

BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo)

Brief episodes of vertigo triggered by head position changes, caused by displaced otoconia crystals entering the semicircular canals.

Menière's Disease

A chronic vestibular disorder characterised by endolymphatic hydrops, with episodic vertigo, fluctuating hearing loss and tinnitus.

Hearing Loss

Reduced ability to hear sounds; classified as conductive, sensorineural or mixed type.

Otitis Media (Middle Ear Infection)

Infection or effusion in the middle ear; presents in acute, recurrent or effusion (serous) forms.

Otosclerosis

Conductive hearing loss caused by abnormal bone remodelling that immobilises the stapes (stirrup bone) in the middle ear.

Cochlea

A spiral-shaped sensory organ in the inner ear that converts sound waves into neural signals.

Tympanoplasty

Surgical repair of the tympanic membrane (eardrum) and/or reconstruction of the middle ear ossicles.

Labyrinthitis

Inflammation of the inner ear labyrinth; presents with acute-onset severe vertigo, nausea and hearing loss.

Acoustic Neuroma (Vestibular Schwannoma)

A benign tumour arising from the sheath of cranial nerve VIII; presents with unilateral tinnitus, progressive sensorineural hearing loss and imbalance.

Vestibular Neuritis

Sudden severe vertigo without hearing loss, caused by presumed viral inflammation of the vestibular nerve; resolves through spontaneous compensation over weeks.

Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

A rapid-onset clinically significant sensorineural hearing loss; an otologic emergency requiring prompt audiological confirmation and early ENT assessment.

Presbycusis (Age-Related Hearing Loss)

Age-related cochlear degeneration presenting as bilateral symmetric high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss; quality of life is maintained with hearing aids and audiological rehabilitation.

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

Sensorineural hearing loss caused by excessive noise exposure; characterised by a 4 kHz notch audiogram and cumulative hair-cell damage; entirely preventable with hearing protection.

Ototoxic Hearing Loss

Drug-induced sensorineural hearing loss caused by medications such as aminoglycoside antibiotics, cisplatin, loop diuretics or high-dose aspirin damaging cochlear hair cells.

Pure-Tone Audiometry

The foundational audiological test measuring hearing thresholds in air conduction (AC) and bone conduction (BC); the AC-BC gap reflects the conductive component, and the sensorineural component reflects cochlear loss.

Tympanometry

Objective test measuring middle ear pressure and compliance; results in Type A (normal), B (effusion/perforation), C (negative pressure/ETD), Ad (hypercompliant) and As (stiff) curves.

Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE)

An objective test measuring the sound energy produced by outer hair cells; the first step of the 2-stage protocol used in newborn hearing screening and ototoxic drug monitoring.

BAEP / ABR (Auditory Brainstem Response)

Waves I-V recorded from the auditory nerve and brainstem pathways; wave V latency in adults is 5.5-6 ms, I-V interwave interval 4 ms; applicable without sedation.

Vestibular Test Battery

A comprehensive balance system evaluation combining caloric testing (VNG), VEMP, rotary chair, video head impulse test (vHIT) and computerised posturography.

VNG — Videonystagmography

Standard vestibular evaluation including caloric testing, optokinetic assessment, smooth pursuit and saccade tests; canal paresis and directional preponderance are calculated.

VEMP — Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential

Objective vestibular test evaluating the saccule (cVEMP from SCM) and utricle (oVEMP from inferior oblique) separately; SSCD shows elevated amplitude, Menière shows reduced amplitude.

Eustachian Tube Dysfunction

Dysfunction of the Eustachian tube that ventilates the middle ear, presenting in obstructive (negative pressure, effusion) or patulous (autophony, open tube) forms.

Otitis Externa (Outer Ear Canal Infection)

Outer ear canal infection caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and S. aureus; pain increasing with ear traction, treated with acidifying plus antibiotic drops and a wick for severe canal oedema.

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