Otolaryngology (commonly abbreviated as ENT) is the medical-surgical specialty that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of pathologies affecting three anatomically connected and functionally integrated districts: the ear (responsible for hearing and balance – Otology), the nose and paranasal sinuses (responsible for breathing, smell, and air filtration – Rhinology), and the throat, which includes the pharynx, larynx, and vocal cords (responsible for swallowing and phonation – Laryngology), also including the oral cavity and salivary glands. Complete ENT specialist examinations are performed to diagnose a wide range of disorders, from the most common and benign such as middle and external ear infections, acute and chronic sinusitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, and allergic rhinitis, to more complex pathologies such as vertigo and balance disorders (Vestibology), hearing loss of various types, nasal polyposis, vocal cord nodules and polyps, and benign and malignant tumors of the head and neck region. Clinical evaluation utilizes specific instrumental examinations such as otoscopy, rhinoscopy, and fiber optic laryngoscopy (for direct and magnified visualization of mucous membranes) and functional tests such as pure tone and speech audiometry and impedance testing for detailed study of auditory function. The scope of intervention also includes surgery (tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, septoplasty, functional sinus surgery) and laryngeal microsurgery, in addition to more complex oncological and maxillofacial surgical procedures.
