Browse the ENT board blueprint by subspecialty. Each topic links to the open-access sources behind it, and shows how much of it is citation-backed.
Laryngopharyngitis is inflammation of the larynx and/or pharynx, categorized as acute (<3 weeks) or chronic (≥3 weeks) Acute laryngitis is most commonly viral; affects approxima…
Acute otitis media (AOM): rapid onset of signs and symptoms of middle-ear inflammation with a distinct bulging tympanic membrane (TM), often accompanied by fever, otalgia, and T…
Rhinosinusitis: inflammation of the nose and paranasal sinuses; replaced "sinusitis" because the nose is almost always involved simultaneously.
Tonsillectomy is the complete surgical removal of the palatine tonsils from the tonsillar fossa; the most common major surgery performed in children in the United States (~500,0…
OSA is defined by ≥5 predominantly obstructive respiratory events per hour of sleep (apneas, hypopneas, or respiratory effort-related arousals [RERAs]) in association with sympt…
Airway (laryngotracheal/bronchial) foreign body aspiration is a leading cause of accidental death in children <3 years; peak incidence 1-3 years Esophageal foreign body ingestio…
The temporal bone is a paired bone forming part of the lateral skull base, housing the organs of hearing and balance, the facial nerve, and the internal carotid artery Composed …
The peripheral vestibular system consists of five end organs within the bony labyrinth: three semicircular canals (detecting angular acceleration) and two otolith organs (detect…
Auditory brainstem implant (ABI) is a neuroprosthesis that directly stimulates the cochlear nucleus complex on the brainstem surface to provide auditory input Bypasses both the …
Autoimmune inner ear disease (AIED) is an immune-mediated sensorineural hearing loss characterized by bilateral, progressive, fluctuating SNHL that responds to immunosuppressive…
Exostoses are benign, broad-based, pedunculated or sessile bony growths arising from the bony external auditory canal (EAC), typically bilateral and multiple Canalplasty is the …
A cholesteatoma is a destructive, expansile collection of keratinizing stratified squamous epithelium within the middle ear or mastoid that is not normally lined by squamous epi…
Chronic otitis media (COM): persistent inflammatory disease of the middle ear and mastoid with irreversible mucosal changes, with or without tympanic membrane (TM) perforation C…
Conductive hearing loss (CHL) results from impaired sound transmission through the external ear, tympanic membrane, or middle ear ossicular chain to the oval window Characterize…
Facial nerve (CN VII) disorders encompass a spectrum of conditions causing facial paralysis or paresis, ranging from idiopathic to infectious, neoplastic, traumatic, congenital,…
Cochlear implants (CIs) are auditory prostheses that convert acoustic information into electrical stimulation of the auditory nerve, bypassing dysfunctional or absent cochlear h…
Cochlear transduction is the mechanoelectrical process by which sound energy is converted to neural impulses in the cochlea Involves the organ of Corti, basilar membrane mechani…
Complications of otitis media and mastoiditis that extend beyond the confines of the middle ear and mastoid air cell system Classified as intratemporal (within the temporal bone…
Cortical neuroplasticity refers to the brain's ability to reorganize neural pathways and cortical representations in response to altered sensory input, including hearing loss In…
The eustachian tube (ET) (pharyngotympanic tube/auditory tube) is a 31-38 mm conduit connecting the middle ear to the nasopharynx Functions: pressure equalization (ventilation),…
Preauricular pits (sinuses) are congenital blind-ending tracts located anterior to the ascending helix of the auricle, representing incomplete fusion of the hillocks of His duri…
Otitis externa (OE) represents infection or inflammation of the external auditory canal (EAC) Ranges in severity from mild canal inflammation to life-threatening skull base oste…
Facial nerve (CN VII) is a mixed motor-sensory nerve composed of approximately 6000 axons Bell palsy is an acute idiopathic peripheral facial paralysis; the most common cause of…
Genetic hearing loss accounts for approximately 50-60% of congenital hearing loss in developed countries Classified as nonsyndromic (70-80%) or syndromic (20-30%) Nonsyndromic f…
Genetic hearing loss accounts for approximately 50–60% of congenital hearing loss in developed countries Classified as syndromic (~30%) or nonsyndromic (~70%) hereditary hearing…
Geriatric otology addresses age-related changes in auditory and vestibular function, focusing on presbycusis, central auditory processing decline, and balance disorders in patie…
Implantable hearing devices are surgically placed prostheses that improve hearing by directly stimulating the ossicular chain, temporal bone, cochlea, or auditory nerve Categori…
Labyrinthitis is inflammation of the membranous labyrinth (cochlear and vestibular portions) due to infectious agents or their toxins Classified by route of entry: tympanogenic …
Interventional neuroradiology (INR) encompasses endovascular and percutaneous image-guided procedures for the diagnosis and treatment of vascular and neoplastic conditions of th…
Intraoperative cranial nerve monitoring (ICNM) is the real-time electrophysiologic assessment of cranial nerve function during surgery to minimize iatrogenic nerve injury Most c…
Intratemporal facial nerve surgery encompasses decompression, repair, and grafting of the facial nerve within the temporal bone Indications include Bell palsy (severe), temporal…
Mastoidectomy is the surgical removal of mastoid air cells to treat disease, provide access to middle ear and epitympanum, or create a safe, dry ear Types: cortical (simple), ca…
Meatoplasty is the surgical enlargement of the external auditory meatus (EAM) and/or cartilaginous ear canal to create a wider opening for aeration, drainage, and access to the …
Endoscopic ear surgery (EES) refers to transcanal middle ear procedures performed exclusively or primarily with rigid endoscopes, replacing or supplementing the binocular micros…
Posterior fossa neoplasms relevant to otolaryngology include tumors of the cerebellopontine angle (CPA), IAC, jugular foramen, and posterior temporal bone Vestibular schwannoma …
The central auditory pathway extends from the cochlear nucleus in the brainstem to the primary auditory cortex in the temporal lobe Composed of multiple relay stations with both…
Imaging of the temporal bone and skull base is essential for diagnosis, surgical planning, and postoperative surveillance in otologic and lateral skull base disease High-resolut…
Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is sensorineural hearing loss caused by exposure to hazardous noise levels, resulting in irreversible damage to cochlear structures Affects app…
Numerous systemic diseases produce otologic manifestations including hearing loss, vertigo, tinnitus, and structural changes of the temporal bone Otologic findings may be the in…
This card covers the major named otologic syndromes and the differential diagnosis approach to common otologic symptoms (otalgia, otorrhea, tinnitus, hearing loss, vertigo, and …
Disease of endochondral bone remodeling unique to the otic capsule Characterized by disordered osteoclastic resorption (otospongiosis/active phase) followed by new osteoblastic …
Emerging field targeting the inner ear with local or systemic pharmacologic and molecular agents to treat or prevent SNHL, vestibular disorders, and tinnitus Intratympanic (IT) …
Auditory physiology encompasses the mechanisms by which sound energy is collected, transmitted, transduced into neural signals, and encoded for central processing The system ope…
Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) delivers a single, highly focused, high-dose radiation fraction to a precisely defined intracranial target using rigid immobilization and 3D imag…
Facial paralysis rehabilitation encompasses surgical and non-surgical techniques to restore facial symmetry, movement, and function after irreversible facial nerve injury Indica…
Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL): hearing loss resulting from cochlear hair cell dysfunction, auditory nerve dysfunction, or central auditory pathway pathology Sudden SNHL (NID…
Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) results from pathology of the cochlea (sensory) or auditory nerve (neural); air and bone conduction thresholds are equally reduced with no air-…
Anterior cranial base (ACB) surgery: resection of tumors involving the floor of the anterior cranial fossa (cribriform plate, planum sphenoidale, orbital roof, posterior table o…
The lateral skull base encompasses the temporal bone and adjacent structures forming the floor of the middle cranial fossa and the posterior fossa boundary lateral to the brains…
Auricular cutaneous malignancy encompasses primary skin cancers arising on the pinna and periauricular skin, most commonly basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (S…
Temporal bone neoplasms are rare malignancies (incidence: 1–6 per million per year) and benign tumors arising from or involving the temporal bone Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) i…
Fracture of the temporal bone resulting from high-energy trauma to the skull base Requires approximately 1875 pounds of lateral force to fracture in cadaveric studies Associated…
Facial nerve testing encompasses clinical assessment scales and electrodiagnostic studies used to evaluate the degree and prognosis of facial nerve injury Testing guides managem…
Tinnitus: perception of sound in the absence of an external acoustic stimulus; affects 10–15% of adults, bothersome in 1–2% Subjective tinnitus: perceived only by patient (vast …
Topical otic therapy is the first-line treatment for most external ear disorders, delivering high drug concentrations directly to the site of disease with minimal systemic absor…
Tympanoplasty: surgical procedure to eradicate middle ear infection and restore function of the middle ear; includes TM reconstruction ± ossicular chain reconstruction Ossiculop…
Ototoxicity refers to drug-induced damage to the cochlea (auditory) and/or vestibular end organs, resulting in hearing loss, tinnitus, and/or vestibular dysfunction Over 200 med…
Vestibular schwannoma (VS, acoustic neuroma) is a benign schwannoma arising from Schwann cells of the vestibular division of the 8th cranial nerve Accounts for 8–10% of all intr…
Rhinosinusitis: inflammation of the nose and paranasal sinuses; replaced "sinusitis" because the nose is almost always involved simultaneously.
Benign tumors of the sinonasal tract encompass a diverse group of neoplasms arising from epithelial, mesenchymal, osseous, vascular, and fibrous tissues of the nasal cavity and …
The Caldwell-Luc procedure (CLP) is a transantral surgical approach to the maxillary sinus via the anterior wall through a sublabial (gingivobuccal) incision First described ind…
CRS is a clinical syndrome characterized by symptomatic inflammation of the nose and paranasal sinus mucosa present for ≥12 weeks, confirmed by objective means (nasal endoscopy …
CSF rhinorrhea: Direct communication between the CSF-containing subarachnoid space and the mucosalized paranasal sinus cavities, resulting in drainage of CSF through the nose.
Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) is a surgical procedure that creates a new drainage pathway from the lacrimal sac directly into the nasal cavity, bypassing the obstructed nasolacrim…
Epistaxis (nosebleed) is the most common otorhinolaryngologic emergency.
Facial pain in otolaryngology encompasses pain in the distribution of the trigeminal nerve (V₁, V₂, V₃) and surrounding structures, often attributed to sinonasal disease Frequen…
Frontal sinus management encompasses the spectrum of endoscopic and external surgical approaches to the frontal sinus for inflammatory, neoplastic, traumatic, and congenital dis…
Sinonasal imaging is essential for diagnosis, staging, surgical planning, and intraoperative navigation in rhinologic disease CT is the primary imaging modality for sinonasal di…
Nonallergic rhinitis (NAR) encompasses rhinitis syndromes NOT mediated by IgE-dependent mechanisms Prevalence: affects 19-25 million Americans; represents approximately 25-50% o…
Objective nasal function assessment encompasses standardized measurement of nasal airflow, resistance, geometry, mucociliary function, and olfaction These tests provide quantifi…
Olfactory dysfunction encompasses quantitative disorders (anosmia, hyposmia, hyperosmia) and qualitative disorders (parosmia, phantosmia, cacosmia) Prevalence: 19% of the genera…
Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is the endoscopic approach to the paranasal sinuses designed to restore mucociliary function by reestablishing physiologic sinus venti…
Revision endoscopic sinus surgery is performed when primary FESS fails to achieve adequate symptom control despite appropriate medical management Revision rate for primary FESS:…
Septoplasty is the surgical correction of structural deformities of the nasal septum to relieve nasal airway obstruction Distinguished from submucous resection (SMR, older techn…
The sino-orbital interface describes the anatomic and surgical relationship between the paranasal sinuses and the orbit, enabling endoscopic transnasal approaches to orbital pat…
Numerous systemic diseases manifest in the nose and paranasal sinuses due to the rich vascular supply, exposed mucosal surfaces, and cartilaginous framework Granulomatosis with …
Transnasal endoscopic skull base surgery (TESBS) refers to minimally invasive approaches through the nose and paranasal sinuses to access and resect lesions of the ventral skull…
Laryngopharyngitis is inflammation of the larynx and/or pharynx, categorized as acute (<3 weeks) or chronic (≥3 weeks) Acute laryngitis is most commonly viral; affects approxima…
Pediatric anesthesia for otolaryngologic procedures requires specialized knowledge of age-specific airway anatomy, pharmacology, and perioperative risk Shared airway surgery (su…
Salivary gland neoplasms represent 3-6% of all head and neck tumors Annual incidence: approximately 2.5-3.0 per 100,000 population Rule of 80s: 80% of salivary tumors occur in p…
Benign vocal fold mucosal disorders encompass non-neoplastic structural lesions of the vocal fold that alter the layered microstructure and impair phonation These include vocal …
Chronic aspiration is the repeated entry of oropharyngeal or gastric contents past the vocal folds into the lower airway, leading to recurrent pneumonia, chronic lung disease, o…
Congenital inner ear malformations are structural anomalies of the cochlea, vestibule, semicircular canals, vestibular aqueduct, or internal auditory canal resulting from arrest…
Congenital nasal and nasopharyngeal malformations encompass a spectrum of developmental anomalies resulting from aberrant embryogenesis of the nose, nasal cavity, and nasopharyn…
Craniofacial surgery encompasses surgical correction of congenital anomalies involving the skull, cranial base, and facial skeleton, typically performed through multidisciplinar…
Cricopharyngeal dysfunction (also called cricopharyngeal achalasia or upper esophageal sphincter dysfunction) refers to failure of the cricopharyngeus muscle (upper esophageal s…
Cricothyrotomy (cricothyroidotomy) is an emergency surgical airway procedure involving incision through the cricothyroid membrane (CTM) to establish rapid access to the tracheal…
The ASA defines a difficult airway as "a clinical situation in which a conventionally trained anesthesiologist experiences difficulty with facemask ventilation of the upper airw…
Diseases of the esophagus relevant to the otolaryngologist include GERD/LPR, esophageal motility disorders, strictures, webs, eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), Barrett esophagus, …
Thyroid disorders encompass a wide range of functional (hyper/hypothyroidism), structural (goiter, nodules), inflammatory (thyroiditis), and neoplastic (benign and malignant) co…
Congenital hearing loss is the most common sensory deficit at birth, affecting approximately 1-3 per 1000 newborns; prevalence increases to 3-6 per 1000 when including NICU grad…
Epiglottitis (more accurately termed supraglottitis) is a fulminant, life-threatening infection of the supraglottic larynx primarily involving the epiglottis and aryepiglottic f…
Congenital aural atresia (CAA) is the absence or severe stenosis of the external auditory canal, resulting from failure of canalization of the first branchial cleft during embry…
Pediatric otolaryngology encompasses the diagnosis and management of ear, nose, throat, and head/neck disorders in children from birth through adolescence The pediatric airway, …
Immunocompromised hosts include patients with HIV/AIDS, organ transplant recipients, those on chemotherapy or biologic immunosuppressants, congenital immunodeficiencies, and oth…
The cornerstone of all otolaryngologic care is a thorough history, directed head and neck physical examination, and risk-stratified preoperative evaluation Preoperative assessme…
Salivary gland imaging and fine-needle aspiration (FNA) are the cornerstones of preoperative evaluation for salivary gland masses and inflammatory conditions FNA of salivary gla…
Sialadenitis refers to inflammation of a salivary gland from infectious, obstructive, autoimmune, or granulomatous causes Sialolithiasis is the formation of calcified stones wit…
Laryngeal trauma encompasses blunt and penetrating injuries to the laryngeal framework, endolaryngeal soft tissues, and neurovascular structures Relatively uncommon—accounts for…
The larynx serves three primary functions: airway protection (sphincteric), phonation, and respiration The pharynx is a muscular tube extending from the skull base to the cricoi…
Systemic diseases frequently involve the larynx and trachea, producing symptoms ranging from mild hoarseness to life-threatening airway obstruction.
Laryngeal reinnervation encompasses surgical techniques to restore motor innervation to the denervated laryngeal musculature, with the primary goal of restoring vocal fold tone,…
A laryngocoele is an abnormal dilatation (air-filled or fluid-filled) of the saccule of the laryngeal ventricle (appendix of the ventricle of Morgagni) The saccule is a blind po…
Laser surgery of the larynx encompasses the use of various laser systems to treat benign, premalignant, and malignant laryngeal lesions via an endoscopic approach LASER = Light …
Salivary gland malignancies account for 3-6% of head and neck cancers with an annual incidence of 0.9-1.5 per 100,000 More than 20 histologic subtypes recognized in the WHO clas…
Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is the autonomous overproduction of parathyroid hormone (PTH) by one or more parathyroid glands, causing hypercalcemia; the most common cause …
Microtia is congenital hypoplasia or malformation of the external ear (auricle/pinna), ranging from mild structural anomalies to complete absence of the ear (anotia) Incidence i…
Neurologic disorders of the larynx encompass conditions in which abnormal central or peripheral neural control produces involuntary laryngeal movements, voice disturbances, or a…
Neurologic evaluation of the larynx and pharynx involves systematic assessment of cranial nerve function (primarily CN IX, X, XI, XII), laryngeal electromyography (LEMG), and an…
The oral cavity performs three critical functions: food/beverage intake, communication, and host protection from noxious substances.
The geriatric population (≥65 years) represents the fastest-growing demographic in the United States, projected to comprise 21% of the population by 2030 Age-related physiologic…
Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is the conscientious integration of the best available research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values to guide clinical decision-maki…
Comprehensive overview of imaging modalities available for evaluation of head and neck pathology: computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, positro…
Pain management in head and neck patients encompasses acute postoperative pain, chronic pain syndromes, cancer-related pain, and neuropathic pain specific to the cranial nerves …
Pediatric chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is defined as sinonasal inflammation lasting ≥12 consecutive weeks (or ≥90 days) with at least two of the following: nasal obstruction/con…
Cochlear implantation (CI) in children provides direct electrical stimulation of the spiral ganglion cells, bypassing damaged or absent hair cells, to restore auditory input in …
Pediatric facial fractures are relatively uncommon, accounting for approximately 5-15% of all facial fractures; incidence increases with age, with a significant rise after age 5…
Pediatric infectious diseases of the head and neck encompass a broad spectrum of bacterial, viral, fungal, and mycobacterial infections that present with unique features in chil…
Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep-related breathing disorder characterized by recurrent partial (hypopnea) or complete (apnea) upper airway obstruction during s…
Pediatric otologic surgery encompasses surgical procedures performed on the ear and temporal bone in children, including myringotomy with tube placement, tympanoplasty, mastoide…
Speech is the motor act of producing sounds for communication; language is the system of symbols and rules used to convey meaning — both can be independently impaired Speech-sou…
Pediatric vestibular disorders are underrecognized conditions affecting balance and spatial orientation in children; prevalence is estimated at 0.7-15% of the pediatric populati…
Penetrating neck trauma is defined as any injury that violates the platysma muscle; injuries superficial to the platysma are managed as soft tissue wounds Blunt neck trauma (blu…
Saliva is a complex exocrine secretion produced by three pairs of major salivary glands (parotid, submandibular, sublingual) and 600–1000 minor salivary glands distributed throu…
A ranula is a mucous extravasation pseudocyst arising from the sublingual gland (or, less commonly, a minor salivary gland) in the floor of mouth Simple (oral) ranula: confined …
Surgical intervention for vestibular disorders is reserved for patients with medically refractory symptoms that significantly impair quality of life The spectrum of surgical opt…
Upper airway stenosis refers to pathologic narrowing of the larynx or trachea at the glottic, subglottic, or tracheal level Subglottic stenosis (SGS) is narrowing of the airway …
A professional voice user is anyone whose livelihood depends on voice quality and reliability; includes singers, actors, teachers, clergy, broadcasters, attorneys, telemarketers…
Thyroid eye disease (TED), also known as Graves ophthalmopathy (GO) or Graves orbitopathy, is an autoimmune inflammatory disorder of the orbit that occurs predominantly in assoc…
Tracheobronchial endoscopy (bronchoscopy) is the direct visualization of the trachea and bronchial tree using rigid or flexible endoscopes for diagnostic and therapeutic purpose…
Tracheotomy is the creation of an opening in the anterior tracheal wall to establish a direct airway.
Transnasal esophagoscopy (TNE) is an unsedated, office-based endoscopic evaluation of the upper aerodigestive tract from the nasopharynx to the stomach, performed using an ultra…
Vascular anomalies of the head and neck are classified by the International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies (ISSVA) into two fundamentally distinct categories: vascu…
Velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD) is a general term encompassing any impairment of the velopharyngeal valve that results in abnormal coupling of the oral and nasal cavities durin…
Visual documentation of the larynx encompasses the techniques and technologies used to examine, record, and analyze laryngeal structure and function The modern laryngeal examina…
Vocal fold paralysis (VFP) is the loss of voluntary movement of one or both vocal folds due to disruption of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) or, less commonly, the vagus ner…
Voice evaluation is a multidimensional assessment incorporating patient history, auditory-perceptual analysis, acoustic analysis, aerodynamic measurement, and laryngeal visualiz…
A Zenker diverticulum (ZD) is a posterior pharyngeal pouch (pulsion diverticulum) that herniates through a weak area in the posterior hypopharyngeal wall known as Killian triang…
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a distinct malignancy arising from the epithelial lining of the nasopharynx, with unique epidemiology, etiology (EBV association), and treatmen…
Benign tumors of the oral cavity encompass a diverse group of neoplasms and reactive lesions arising from epithelial, mesenchymal, vascular, neural, and salivary tissue Squamous…
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a malignancy arising from the mucosal epithelium of the upper aerodigestive tract (oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, larynx,…
Systemic therapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) encompasses cytotoxic chemotherapy, targeted molecular agents, and immunotherapy The MACH-NC meta-analysis (up…
Complications of neck surgery encompass vascular, neural, lymphatic, wound, and systemic adverse events arising from cervical procedures including neck dissection, thyroidectomy…
Conservation (partial) laryngeal surgery refers to open surgical procedures that remove laryngeal tumor while preserving at least one functional laryngeal unit (voice and/or swa…
Cutaneous melanoma of the head and neck accounts for approximately 20-25% of all melanomas, despite the head and neck comprising only ~9% of body surface area — reflecting the r…
Deep neck infection (DNI) is an infection involving the potential fascial spaces of the neck.
Primary tracheal neoplasms are rare, representing <1% of all malignancies; often diagnosed late due to insidious onset and misdiagnosis as asthma or COPD Squamous cell carcinoma…
Laryngeal imaging is essential for staging laryngeal cancer, determining the extent of deep invasion not visible endoscopically, and guiding treatment decisions (RT vs.
Diagnostic imaging of the pharynx and esophagus evaluates neoplastic, inflammatory, structural, and functional pathology from the nasopharynx to the gastroesophageal junction CT…
The differential diagnosis of neck masses is one of the most fundamental clinical problems in otolaryngology and follows an organized framework based on patient age, mass locati…
Free tissue transfer (free flap) involves harvesting a composite block of tissue with its vascular pedicle, completely detaching it from the donor site, and revascularizing it a…
Molecular biology of head and neck cancer encompasses the genetic and epigenetic alterations that drive tumorigenesis, progression, and treatment resistance in HNSCC HNSCC devel…
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted DNA virus etiologically responsible for a growing subset of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCC) HPV-positive OPSC…
Laryngeal carcinoma: malignant neoplasm arising from the mucosal epithelium of the larynx; >95% are squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) Third most common site for HNSCC after oral cav…
Lemierre syndrome (also called necrobacillosis or postanginal septicemia) is a rare but potentially fatal condition characterized by thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vei…
Ludwig angina is a rapidly progressive, bilateral gangrenous cellulitis involving all three primary mandibular spaces (submental, sublingual bilaterally, and submandibular bilat…
Lymphomas are malignant neoplasms of the lymphoid system; the head and neck is the second most common extranodal site after the gastrointestinal tract Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)…
Paranasal sinus malignancies are rare, comprising <3% of all head and neck cancers and approximately 0.5% of all malignancies The maxillary sinus is the most commonly involved s…
Oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) accounts for approximately 30% of all head and neck cancers and ~380,000 new cases globally per year Subsites: lips, oral tongue (ant…
Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is the most rapidly increasing head and neck cancer in the Western world, driven by the HPV epidemic The oropharynx extends from th…
Early glottic cancer refers to T1-T2 squamous cell carcinoma of the true vocal folds (glottis) with mobile vocal folds T1-T2 N0 glottic SCC has an excellent prognosis: 5-year lo…
Neck dissection (cervical lymphadenectomy): systematic removal of lymph nodes and surrounding fibrofatty tissue from the cervical compartments to eradicate metastatic disease Th…
Cervical necrotizing fasciitis is a severe, rapidly progressive, life-threatening form of deep neck infection characterized by necrosis of the fascia and subcutaneous tissues of…
Hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma accounts for approximately 3-5% of all head and neck cancers and carries the worst prognosis among pharyngeal subsites (5-year OS ~30-35%)…
Neoplasms of the neck include primary tumors arising within cervical structures (nerves, vessels, connective tissue, lymphatic tissue) and metastatic disease from head and neck …
Odontogenic cysts and tumors arise from epithelial or ectomesenchymal remnants of the tooth-forming apparatus Odontogenic cysts are the most common cystic lesions of the jaws; r…
Oral mucosal lesions encompass a broad spectrum of white, red, pigmented, vesiculobullous, and ulcerative conditions of the oral cavity lining Leukoplakia: a white patch or plaq…
Palliative care is specialized medical care focused on providing relief from symptoms, pain, and stress of a serious illness regardless of diagnosis or stage Distinguished from …
Paragangliomas (glomus tumors) are neuroendocrine neoplasms arising from paraganglia — clusters of neural crest–derived chief cells associated with the autonomic nervous system …
Parapharyngeal space (PPS) tumors account for approximately 0.5% of all head and neck neoplasms 80% of PPS tumors are benign; 20% are malignant Salivary gland tumors (predominan…
Peritonsillar abscess (PTA), also known as quinsy, is the most common deep neck space infection and represents a collection of pus between the palatine tonsil capsule (medially)…
The oral cavity extends from the vermilion border of the lips anteriorly to the junction of the hard and soft palate superiorly and the circumvallate papillae inferiorly Divided…
Maxillofacial prosthetics involves the use of artificial devices to replace missing structures of the face, jaws, and palate resulting from surgery, trauma, or congenital defect…
Radiation therapy (RT) for cervical lymph nodes encompasses definitive, adjuvant, and palliative treatment of nodal metastases from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC)…
Radiation therapy is a cornerstone of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer management, used as definitive treatment (alone or with chemotherapy) or as adjuvant therapy after surg…
Organ preservation with chemoradiation is the standard-of-care paradigm for locally advanced hypopharyngeal SCC, aiming to preserve the laryngopharyngeal complex without comprom…
Radiation therapy (RT) is the use of ionizing radiation to achieve local-regional tumor control through DNA damage and clonogenic cell death Approximately 75% of head and neck c…
Hypopharyngeal and esophageal reconstruction restores the alimentary conduit after laryngopharyngectomy or pharyngoesophagectomy for advanced hypopharyngeal or cervical esophage…
Mandible reconstruction restores form, function, and aesthetics after segmental or marginal mandibulectomy for tumor, osteoradionecrosis, or trauma The free fibula flap is the g…
Oropharyngeal reconstruction restores form and function after ablative surgery for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), which includes base of tongue, soft palate, ton…
A flap is a unit of tissue that maintains its own blood supply (vascular pedicle) when transferred from a donor site to a recipient site; distinguished from a graft, which relie…
Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) is a minimally invasive surgical approach using a robotic platform (da Vinci Surgical System) to access oropharyngeal, supraglottic, and hypopha…
Dysphagia is the most functionally significant consequence of head and neck cancer (HNC) and its treatment, affecting 40-80% of patients during or after therapy Swallowing dysfu…
Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) encompass a group of conditions affecting the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), masticatory muscles, and associated structures Prevalence: 5-12% o…
Thyroid neoplasms encompass a spectrum from benign adenomas to well-differentiated carcinomas (papillary, follicular), medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), and undifferentiated an…
Total laryngectomy (TL) is the complete surgical removal of the larynx from the hyoid bone superiorly to the trachea inferiorly, creating a permanent separation between the airw…
Transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) is a minimally invasive technique for resecting laryngeal carcinoma via the transoral route using a CO2 laser coupled to an operating microsco…
Neck ultrasound (US) is the primary imaging modality for evaluating superficial neck structures including thyroid, salivary glands, lymph nodes, and soft tissue masses Advantage…
Total laryngectomy (TL) permanently separates the airway from the alimentary tract; the trachea is brought out as a permanent stoma in the neck, and the patient loses their natu…
Brow lift (forehead lift) is a surgical procedure to elevate ptotic brows, smooth forehead rhytids, and reduce glabellar frown lines Brow ptosis: descent of the brow below the s…
Aesthetic facial analysis is the systematic evaluation of facial proportions, relationships, and landmarks to guide cosmetic and reconstructive surgical planning Provides a stan…
Blepharoplasty is the surgical rejuvenation of the upper and/or lower eyelids by removing or repositioning excess skin, muscle, and orbital fat One of the most commonly performe…
Facial trauma encompasses injuries to the soft tissues and bony skeleton of the face, including the frontal, zygomatic, orbital, nasal, maxillary, and mandibular regions.
Full thickness lip reconstruction addresses defects that involve all three lip layers: skin (cutaneous), muscle (orbicularis oris), and mucosa (vermilion/oral mucosa) Most commo…
Hair restoration encompasses surgical and non-surgical methods to treat androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and other forms of hair loss AGA is the most common cause of hair loss; affec…
Skin aging encompasses intrinsic (chronologic) and extrinsic (environmental) processes that alter the structure and function of the skin Photoaging from UV radiation is the domi…
Maxillofacial trauma encompasses fractures of the facial skeleton including mandible, midface (zygomaticomaxillary complex, orbital floor/walls, naso-orbito-ethmoid), and upper …
Mentoplasty (genioplasty) refers to surgical modification of the chin for aesthetic or functional purposes Encompasses alloplastic chin augmentation (implants), sliding geniopla…
Nasal fractures are the most common facial fracture, accounting for approximately 40% of all facial fractures Incidence is roughly 53 per 100,000 population per year; male-to-fe…
Nasal reconstruction is the restoration of nasal form and function following tissue loss from tumor resection, trauma, or congenital deformity The nose is a complex three-dimens…
Otoplasty is the surgical correction of congenital or acquired deformities of the external ear (auricle/pinna) The most common indication is prominent ear (protruding ear), defi…
The otolaryngologist is frequently called upon to diagnose and manage cutaneous lesions of the head and neck, encompassing a spectrum from benign epidermal growths to aggressive…
Reconstruction of facial defects encompasses the surgical repair of cutaneous and composite tissue losses of the face, primarily from ablation of cutaneous malignancies but also…
Rhinoplasty is surgical modification of the nasal framework to improve form and/or function Most commonly performed facial plastic surgery procedure Addresses aesthetic concerns…
Rhytidectomy (facelift) is the surgical rejuvenation of the lower face and neck by repositioning ptotic soft tissues and removing skin excess It addresses jowling, cervical laxi…
Scar revision encompasses surgical and nonsurgical techniques to improve the appearance of scars that are aesthetically unfavorable — wide, perpendicular to relaxed skin tension…
Acute otitis media (AOM): rapid onset of signs and symptoms of middle-ear inflammation with a distinct bulging tympanic membrane (TM), often accompanied by fever, otalgia, and T…
Tonsillectomy is the complete surgical removal of the palatine tonsils from the tonsillar fossa; the most common major surgery performed in children in the United States (~500,0…
Airway (laryngotracheal/bronchial) foreign body aspiration is a leading cause of accidental death in children <3 years; peak incidence 1-3 years Esophageal foreign body ingestio…
Ankyloglossia (tongue-tie) is a congenital anomaly characterized by an abnormally short, thickened, or tight lingual frenulum that restricts tongue mobility Prevalence: 4-10% of…
Cleft lip (CL): congenital defect involving a gap or discontinuity in the upper lip, resulting from failure of fusion of the medial nasal and maxillary prominences during weeks …
Congenital neck masses: developmental anomalies present from birth (though may not manifest clinically until later childhood or adulthood) arising from embryologic remnants of t…
Tracheal stenosis is a narrowing of the tracheal lumen that may be congenital (complete tracheal rings) or acquired (post-intubation, post-tracheotomy) Congenital tracheal steno…
Subglottic stenosis (SGS) is narrowing of the subglottic airway (from the undersurface of the true vocal folds to the inferior border of the cricoid cartilage) The cricoid is th…
Laryngotracheal cleft (LTC) is a rare congenital midline deficiency of the posterior laryngeal and/or tracheal wall, creating an abnormal communication between the airway and th…
Pediatric airway disorders encompass congenital and acquired conditions affecting the nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, and bronchi in children, presenting most commonly with stri…
Pediatric head and neck neoplasms encompass a diverse group of benign and malignant tumors occurring in the cervicofacial region in patients ≤18 years Head and neck malignancies…
Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB): spectrum of disorders characterized by abnormal respiratory patterns or abnormal gas exchange during sleep, ranging from primary snoring to obs…
Pediatric dysphagia encompasses feeding and swallowing disorders from the oral preparatory phase through esophageal transit; affects 25-45% of typically developing children and …
Pediatric tracheotomy is the creation of a surgical opening in the anterior tracheal wall (typically between the 2nd and 4th tracheal rings) to establish a secure airway in chil…
Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) is a benign neoplastic disease characterized by recurrent exophytic squamous papillomas of the aerodigestive tract, most commonly the …
Retropharyngeal abscess (RPA) is a deep neck space infection involving the retropharyngeal space — the midline potential space posterior to the pharynx and esophagus, extending …
Pediatric salivary gland disease encompasses inflammatory, infectious, congenital, and neoplastic conditions affecting the major (parotid, submandibular, sublingual) and minor s…
Sialorrhea (drooling) is the unintentional loss of saliva from the mouth; anterior drooling refers to visible spillage from the mouth, while posterior drooling refers to pooling…
OSA is defined by ≥5 predominantly obstructive respiratory events per hour of sleep (apneas, hypopneas, or respiratory effort-related arousals [RERAs]) in association with sympt…
Drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) is a diagnostic procedure in which flexible nasopharyngoscopy is performed during pharmacologically induced sedation to directly observe the …
Hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HGNS) is an implantable neurostimulation therapy for moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in patients who have failed or are intoleran…
Maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) is an orthognathic surgical procedure that advances the maxilla and mandible (typically 10-14 mm) to enlarge the posterior airway space for t…
Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is a surgical procedure for obstructive sleep apnea that involves resection of the uvula, posterior soft palate margin, and redundant lateral ph…
Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a type I (IgE-mediated, mast cell–dependent) hypersensitivity reaction of the nasal mucosa to environmental allergens, producing sneezing, pruritus, rh…
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): the most common peripheral vestibular disorder; characterized by brief episodes (seconds) of severe vertigo triggered by specific ch…
Central vestibular disorders arise from lesions of the vestibular nuclei, brainstem, cerebellum, or their cortical connections, as opposed to peripheral vestibular disorders ori…
Diagnostic audiology encompasses behavioral and electrophysiologic tests to quantify hearing sensitivity, identify site of lesion, and guide management Pure tone audiometry (PTA…
Dizziness is the second most common complaint in primary care, affecting 15-35% of the population at some point Encompasses vertigo (illusion of motion), disequilibrium (imbalan…
A hearing aid is an electronic device that amplifies sound to improve audibility for individuals with hearing loss Approximately 28 million Americans could benefit from hearing …
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): brief episodes of vertigo triggered by head position change due to displaced otoconia in semicircular canals; most common vestibular…
The vestibular system detects angular and linear acceleration of the head and generates reflexive eye, head, and postural movements to maintain stable vision, spatial orientatio…
Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) is an exercise-based program designed to promote central compensation for peripheral and central vestibular deficits VRT is the primary t…
Vestibular neuritis is an acute, unilateral peripheral vestibulopathy characterized by sudden-onset severe vertigo, nausea/vomiting, and imbalance WITHOUT hearing loss or other …
The buccal fat pad (BFP) (also called the fat pad of Bichat) is an encapsulated mass of specialized adipose tissue located in the buccal space of the face First used for reconst…
The deltopectoral (DP) flap is a fasciocutaneous pedicled flap based on the first four perforating branches of the internal mammary (internal thoracic) artery First described by…
The pectoralis major myocutaneous flap (PMMF) is the most commonly used regional pedicled flap in head and neck reconstruction First described by Ariyan in 1979, it revolutioniz…
The submental artery island flap (SAIF) is a pedicled regional flap based on the submental artery and vein, first described by Martin et al.
The supraclavicular artery island flap (SCAIF) is a fasciocutaneous pedicled flap based on the supraclavicular artery, a branch of the transverse cervical artery First described…
The temporalis muscle flap (TMF) is a regional pedicled muscle or myofascial flap used for reconstruction of orbital, maxillary, palatal, skull base, and midface defects It is a…