otolaryngology

American  

[oh-toh-lar-ing-gol-uh-jee] / ˌoʊ toʊˌlær ɪŋˈgɒl ə dʒi /

noun

1. the branch of medicine that deals with the anatomy, function, and diseases of the ear, nose, and throat.

---

otolaryngology British  

/ ˌəʊtəʊləˌrɪŋɡəˈlɒdʒɪkəl, ˌəʊtəʊˌlærɪŋˈɡɒlədʒɪ /

noun

1. Sometimes called: otorhinolaryngology.  the branch of medicine concerned with the ear, nose, and throat and their diseases

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• otolaryngological
  adjective
• otolaryngologist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of otolaryngology

First recorded in 1895–1900; oto- + laryngology

Example Sentences

Her father, Dr. Stanley Blaugrund, was director of otolaryngology and head and neck surgery at New York’s Lenox Hill Hospital.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2025

She notes that surgical training programs, which include general surgery and specialties that include surgical training such as gynecology, urology, otolaryngology, neurosurgery, plastic surgery and orthopedic surgery, have the most work to do.

From Science Daily • Mar. 22, 2024

“Hearing loss is a huge problem,” said Thanos Tzounopoulos, professor and vice chair of research in the department of otolaryngology at the University of Pittsburgh.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 12, 2024

“I’m, like, the pariah of the otolaryngology community,” he added.

From Slate • Oct. 15, 2023

This concern was echoed by Karthik Balakrishnan, a professor and physician of otolaryngology – head and neck surgery at Stanford University, though he pointed out there's no research on the subject to know for sure.

From Salon • Sep. 25, 2021