ENT Glossary

Below you will find a list of words that you may have heard your doctor use. We have provided an easy to understand definition for each word.

Adenoid: Lymphoid tissue located in the back of the nose

Ankyloglossia: A foreshortened or tethered lingual frenulum commonly known as “tongue-tie” in which the tongue is tethered to the floor of the mouth.

Apraxia: A motor speech impairment

Audiogram: Hearing test

Branchial: A term used to describe cysts or sinus tracts that are derived from indentations in the fetus.

Bronchoscopy: The surgical procedure performed to examine the windpipe and lungs. This is the procedure used to remove foreign bodies lodged in the airway.

Cerumen: Ear wax

Cholesteatoma: Skin cells growing in areas that they do not belong can be destructive due to enzymes produced by the skin cells or by pressure from the mass of cells. This term is commonly used to describe skin growing in the middle ear and mastoid causing significant infection and erosion.

Cilia: Small hairs that move mucous in the nose sinuses and windpipe.

Cochlea: Part of the inner ear which looks like a snail. It is the essential organ of hearing. This organ is filled with tiny hair cells which transmit sound to the brain.

Culture: A growth of microorganisms for identification purposes.

Dermoid: A special kind of cyst.

Dysphagia: Difficulty swallowing.

Ear drum: A translucent fibrous drum which separates the external ear from the middle ear and is directly attached to the ear bones. This structure vibrates and helps conduct sound waves thru the ear bones and into the inner ear.

Epiglottis: A small flap of tissue made of cartilage that closes over the voice box during a swallow. This flap helps prevent food from going down the wrong pipe.

Esophagus: Swallowing tube which connects the throat to the stomach.

Ethmoid: The sinuses located between the eyes.

External Otitis: Infection of the external ear canal commonly known as “swimmer’s ear”.

Frontal: The sinus located in the forehead

Hyoid: A small bone in the neck suspended between muscles that help produce the swallowing motion.

Incus: The middle ear bone between the malleus and the stapes, commonly known as the anvil.

Laryngomalacia: A term used to describe the noisy breathing caused from floppiness of the voice box which creates a noise when the child breathes in. This noise is usually high pitched and is worse during feeding or when the baby is lying on his or her back.

Larynx: Voice box, a structure which contains the vocal cords and the structures used to help make sound.

Lymphadenopathy: Enlargement of the lymph nodes usually associated with inflammation or infection, commonly known as “swollen glands”.

Malleus: The first ear bone that connects to the ear drum, commonly known as the “hammer”.

Maxillary: The two sinuses located behind the cheeks.

Ossicle: Ear bone.

Otitis Media: Infection of middle ear, commonly known as an “ear infection”.

Otolaryngologist: An Ear Nose and Throat specialist.

Otorrhea: Drainage from the ear

Palate: Roof of the mouth.

Parotid: One of the three major salivary glands that supply saliva to the mouth.

Rhinitis: Inflammation of the nasal lining which can cause a runny nose or a stuffy nose.

Rhinorrhea: Drainage from the nose.

Sinusitis: Infection involving one or more of the sinuses.

Sphenoid: The sinus located in the middle of the head behind the nose.

Stapes: The smallest of the three ear bones that connect the ear drum with the inner ear, commonly known as the “stirrup”

Stridor: Noisy breathing usually associated with inflammation or narrowing of the voice box.

Tonsil: Lymphoid tissue located on each side of the throat.

Trachea: The wind pipe or breathing tube which connects the back of the mouth with the lungs.

Tracheotomy: A temporary outside opening made through the neck into the trachea in order to bypass the mouth and throat. Commonly used when significant obstruction exists in the voice box. Also used for people who will need prolonged help from a breathing machine.

Turbinate: Structure inside the nose that humidifies and filters air.

Tympanic membrane: Ear drum.

Tympanic membrane perforation: A hole in the ear drum.

Tympanogram: Part of the hearing test which measures how well the ear drum moves.

Uvula: That small piece of tissue that dangles in the back of your throat.

Vocal Cord nodules: Small thickenings found on the vocal cords which produce hoarseness. They are often caused from voice abuse thereby earning their nickname of “screamers nodules”.