Ear, Nose and Throat Terminology

A B C

Abscess: Abscess is a local accumulation of pus anywhere in the body.

Adenocarcinoma: A cancer that develops in the lining or inner surface of an organ.

Anaplasia: characteristics of a cell identifies it as a cancer cell.

Anesthetic: A substance that causes lack of feeling or awareness. A local anesthetic causes loss of feeling in a part of the body. A general anesthetic puts the person to sleep.

Angiogram: A diagnostic procedure done in the x-ray department to visualize blood vessels following introduction of a contrast material into an artery.

Anosmia: Absence of the sense of smell. Symptom common to tumors of the frontal lobe of the cerebral hemispheres.

Antibiotics: Drugs that fight infections.

Apnea: The absence of breathing (respirations).

Arteriogram: An x-ray of blood vessels, which can be seen after an injection of a dye that shows up in the x-ray pictures.

Artery: An Artery is a blood vessel that carries blood high in oxygen content from the heart throughout the body. It is the part of the circulatory system.

Aspiration: Removal of a sample of fluid and cells through a needle.

Basal cell carcinoma: A type of skin cancer in which the cancer cells resemble the basal cells of the epidermis.

Benign: Not malignant.

Biopsy: Examination of a small amount of tissue taken from the patient's body to make a diagnosis.

Bronchi: The large air tubes leading to the lungs. One tube is called a bronchus.

Bronchitis: Inflammation (swelling and reddening) of the bronchi.

Bronchoscope: A thin, flexible instrument used to view the air passages of the lung.

Bronchoscopy: A test that permits the doctor to see the breathing passages through a lighted tube.

Buccal mucosa: The inner lining of the cheeks and lips.

Cancer: Cancer refers to a abnormal growths which have a tendency to grow uncontrolled and metastasize. It can involve any tissue of the body and can have many different forms in each body area.

Carcinogen: A substance or agent that is known to cause cancer.

Carcinoma: A malignant tumor that arises from epithelium, found in skin and the lining of body organs; for example, breast, prostate, lung, stomach or bowel. Carcinomas tend to infiltrate into adjacent tissue and spread (metastasize) to distant organs, such as bone, liver, lung, or the brain.

Carcinoma in situ: Cancer that involves only the cells in which it began and that has not spread to other tissues.

Cartilage: Firm, rubbery tissue that cushions bones at joints. A more flexible kind of cartilage connects muscles with bones and makes up other parts of the body, such as the larynx and the outside parts of the ears.

Catheter: A flexible, tubular instrument, used for the removal or insertion of fluids.

Cauterization: The use of heat to destroy abnormal cells.

Cerebrospinal fluid : The clear fluid made in the ventricular cavities of the brain that bathes the brain and spinal cord.

Chemotherapy: The use of chemical agents to treat brain tumors.

Chondrosarcoma: A cancer that forms in cartilage.

Circulatory System: The circulatory system is a composed of the heart, arteries, capillaries and veins. It serves to transport blood low in oxygen from the body to the lungs and heart (veins) and oxygenated blood from the lungs and heart throughout the body (arteries).

Congenital: Existing before or at birth.

Connective Tissue: Connective tissue is a material consisting of fibers that form a framework that provides support structure for body tissues. contralateral - affecting the opposite side.

Cranial cavity: The skull.

CT or CAT scan Computerized Axial Tomography: An x-ray device linked to a computer that produces an image of a predetermined cross-section of the brain. A special dye material may be injected into the patient's vein prior to the scan to help make any abnormal tissue more evident.

Cyst: A fluid filled mass. Usually enclosed by a membrane.

D E F

Dacryocystorhinostomy: Surgical creation of a passage for drainage between the lacrimal sac and nasal cavity.

Debulk: A surgical procedure to decrease swelling by removing a portion of a tumor or dead tissue.

Decadron (R): Dexamethasone. A glucocorticosteroid medication used toreduce tissue swelling.

Decompression: Surgical procedure during which bone, tissue, or tumor is removed to lessen intracranial pressure.

Dilator: A device used to stretch or enlarge an opening. Patients with scarring of the muscular tube through which food passes from the throat to the stomach (esophagus) can require a dilator procedure in order to open the esophagus for adequate passage of food and fluids.diplopia - double vision.

Disease: Illness or sickness often characterized by typical patient problems (symptoms) and physical findings (signs).

Distal: Located far from the reference point.

Dysphagia: Difficulty in swallowing or inability to swallow. Symptom usually indicates tumors involving the lower brain stem.

Dysphasia: Language disorder. Inability to speak words which one has in mind or to think of correct words; or inability to understand spoken or written words.

Dyspnea: Apparent breathing distress usually a result of serious disease of the heart, lungs, or airways. edema - swelling due to an excess of water.

Electrolarynx: A battery-operated instrument that makes a humming sound to help laryngectomees talk.

Encapsulated: Tumor that is wholly confined to a specific area, surrounded by a capsule. Localized.

Encephalocele: Hernia of brain

Endoscope: A flexible, lighted instrument used to examine organs such as the throat or esophagus.

Endoscopy: A procedure in which the doctor looks inside the body through a lighted tube called an endoscope.

Epidermoid carcinoma: A type of lung cancer in which the cells are flat and look like fish scales. Also called squamous cell carcinoma.

Epiglottis: The flap that covers the trachea during swallowing so that food does not enter the lungs.

Etiology: The study of the cause of a disease.

Evoked potentials: The use of electrodes to measure the electrical activity of nerves. May be used as a guide during the removal of tumors growing around the important nerves.

Fine needle aspiration: The use of a thin needle to withdraw tissue from the body.

Fistula: an abnormal opening

Fluoroscopy: An x-ray procedure that makes it possible to see internal organs in motion.

Fluorouracil: An anticancer drug. Its chemical name is 5-fluorouracil,commonly called 5-FU.

G H I

Gland: An organ of the body that produces materials (hormones) released into the bloodstream, such as the pituitary or pineal gland. Hormones influence metabolism and other body functions.

Glucocorticosteroids: Medications used to decrease swelling around tumors.

Hemoptysis: Expectoration of blood from some part of the respiratory tract

Hemorrhage: Hemorrhage refers to bleeding or a flow of blood. It can be internal, and not be visible, or external, and therefore, visible on the body.

Herniation: Bulging of tissue through an opening in a membrane, muscle or bone.

Heterogeneous: Composed of various cell types.

Homogeneous: Composed of identical cell types.

Hypertrophied: Increased in bulk

Immunotherapy: The use of the body's immune system to fight tumors.

Infiltrating: Tumor that penetrates the normal, surrounding tissue.

Informed consent: The right to have information explained to you so that

you fully understand and agree to the nature of the proposed treatment.

Internal radiation therapy: Radiation therapy in which radioactive material is placed in or near a tumor.

Interstitial radiation therapy: The implantation of radioactive seeds directly into a tumor.

Intra-arterial: Injection into an artery (that may supply a tumor).

Intracranial: Within the skull.

Intramuscular: Into a muscle.

Intrathecal: Injection into the sub-arachnoid space of the meninges. Usually done by lumbar puncture.

Intravenous: Injection into a vein.

Invasive: Refers to a tumor that invades healthy tissues. The opposite of encapsulated. Also calleddiffuse or infiltrating.

Ipsilateral: Affecting the same side.

Irradiation: Treatment by ionizing radiation, such as x-rays, or radioactive sources such as radioactive iodine seeds.

IV: Inside a vein (blood vessel). Also called intravenous.

J K L

Laceration: A laceration is a tear of soft tissues.

Labyrinthitis: inflammation of the labyrinth of the inner ear

Laryngeal: Having to do with the larynx.

Laryngeal stenosis: narrowing or constricting of the larynx

Laryngectomee: A person who has had his or her voice box removed.

Laryngectomy: An operation to remove all or part of the larynx.

Laryngitis: Inflammation of the larynx (voice box).

Laryngoscope: A flexible, lighted tube used to examine the larynx.

Laryngoscopy: Examination of the larynx with a mirror (indirect laryngoscopy) or with a laryngoscope (direct laryngoscopy).

Laryngotomy: surgical opening of the larynx

Larynx: The larynx is the portion of the breathing, or respiratory, tract containing the vocal cords which produce vocal sound. It is located between the pharynx and the trachea. It is also called the "voice box." Its outer wall of cartilage forms the area of the front of the neck referred to as the "Adams apple."

Laser: An acronym of light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. A surgical tool that creates intense heat and power when focused at close range, destroying cells by vaporizing them.

Lesion: An area of abnormal tissue change.

Local: In the area of the tumor, confined to one specific area.

Lumbar puncture: Spinal tap. Needle penetration into the subarachnoid space of the lumbar spine. Used to withdraw a sample of spinal fluid for examination. Also used to inject a dye into the spine prior to a myelogram.

Lymph: The almost colorless fluid that travels through the lymphatic system and carries cells that help fight infection and disease.

Lymph nodes: Small, bean-shaped organs located throughout the lymphatic system. The lymph nodes store special cells that can trap cancer cells or bacteria that are traveling through the body in lymph. Also called lymph glands.

Lymphangiogram: X-rays of the lymphatic system. A dye is injected to outline the lymphatic vessels and organs.

Lymphatics: Lymphatics are small thin channels similar to blood vessels. They do not carry blood, but collect and carry tissue fluid from the body to ultimately drain back into the blood stream.

Lymphatic system: The tissues and organs, including the bone marrow, spleen, thymus, and lymph nodes, that produce and store cells that fight infection and disease. The channels that carry lymph are also part of this system.

Lymphedema: A condition in which excess fluid collects in tissue and causes swelling. It may occur in the arm or leg after lymph vessels or lymph nodes in the underarm or groin are removed.

Lymphocytes: White blood cells that fight infection and disease.

Lymphocytic: Referring to lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell.

Lymphoid: Referring to lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. Also refers to tissue in which lymphocytes develop.

M N O

Malignant: cancerous or life-threatening, tending to become progressively worse.

Mandible: The mandible is the bone of the lower jaw. The joint where the mandible meets the upper jaw at the temporal bone is called the temporomandibular joint.

Maxilla: The maxilla is the major bone of the upper jaw

Melanoma: Cancer of the cells that produce pigment in the skin. Melanoma usually begins in a mole.

Membrane: Thin layer of tissue covering a surface, lining a body cavity, or dividing a space or organ.

Meninges: The three membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord.

Meningioma: A type of brain tumor.

Metastasis: The spread of cancer from one part of the body to another. Cells that have metastasized are like those in the original (primary) tumor.

Metastasize: To spread to another part of the body, usually through the blood vessels, lymph channels, or spinal fluid.

MRI scan Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A scanning device that uses a magnetic field, radio waves, and a computer. Signals emitted by normal and diseased tissue during the scan are assembled into an image.

Mucocele: a swelling like a sac that is due to distension of a hollow organ or cavity with mucus.

Mucus: A thick fluid produced by the lining of some organs of the body.

Nasopharynx: The area of the upper throat behind the nose.

Nausea: Nausea is the urge to vomit. It can be brought by many causes including, systemic illnesses, such as influenza, medications, pain, and inner ear disease.

Neck dissection: Surgery to remove lymph nodes and other tissues in the neck.

Necrosis: Dead cells. A common feature of glioblastoma multiforme and other malignant tumors, including metastatic cancer to the brain. Caused by either lack of blood supply or irradiation.

Neoplasia: Abnormal new growth of cells.

Neoplasm: A tumor, either benign or malignant.

Nerve: A nerve is a bundle of fibers that uses electrical and chemical signals to transmit sensory and motor information from one body part to another.

Nervous system: The nervous system is the body tissue that records and distributes information in the body using electrical and chemical transmission. It has two parts. The "central" nervous system is comprised of the brain and spinal cord. The "peripheral" nervous system is the nerve tissue that transmits sensation and motor information back an forth from the body to the central nervous system.

Neuroma: A tumor that arises in nerve cells.

Neurosurgeon: A doctor who specializes in surgery on the brain and other parts of the nervous system.

Nuclear medicine: The branch of medicine that deals with the use of radioisotopes in therapy and diagnosis.

Nystagmus: Rapid movement of the eyeballs.

Oncologist: A doctor who specializes in treating cancer.

Oropharynx: The area of the throat at the back of the mouth.

Otolaryngologist: A doctor who specializes in treating diseases of the ear, nose, and throat.

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Palate: The roof of the mouth. The front portion is bony (hard palate), and the back portion is muscular (soft palate).

Palsy: Paralysis, generally partial, whereby a local body area is incapable of voluntary movement (motor function). For example, Bell's palsy is localized paralysis of the muscles on one side of the face.

Papilloma: a benign tumor resulting from an overgrowth of epithelial tissue

Paralysis: Loss of voluntary movement (motor function); may be partial (palsy) or total.

Paranasal sinuses: Sinuses in the bone of the face and head lined with mucous membrane derived fromand continuous with the mucous lining of the nose

Paresthesia: An abnormal sensation of the body, such as numbness, tingling, or burning.

Parotid gland: a salivary gland that is situated on each side of the face below and in front of the ear.

Pathologist: A doctor who identifies diseases by studying cells and tissues under a microscope.

Pharynx: The hollow tube about 5 inches long that starts behind the nose and ends at the top of the trachea (windpipe) and esophagus (the tube that goes to the stomach).

Plastic surgeon: A surgeon who specializes in reducing scarring or disfigurement that may occur as a result of accidents, birth defects, or treatment for diseases (such as melanoma).

Pneumatic larynx: A device that uses air to produce sound to help a laryngectomee talk.

Polyp: A mass of tissue that develops on the inside wall of a hollow organ,such as the colon.

Prognosis: The probable outcome or course of a disease; the patient's chanceof recovery.

Prosthesis: An artificial replacement of a part of the body, such as a tooth, a facial bone, the palate, or a joint.

Proximal: Located closest to the reference point.

Radiation oncologist: A doctor who specializes in using radiation to treat cancer.

Radiation therapy: The use of radiation energy to interfere with tumor growth.

Radioresistant: Resistant to radiation therapy.

Radiosensitive: Responsive to radiation therapy.

Recurrence: The return of symptoms or the tumor itself, as opposed to aremission. Remission: The disappearance of symptoms; the disappearance of the tumor.

Resection: Surgical removal of a tumor.

Residual: Remaining tumor.

Respiration: Breathing. To inhale and exhale.

Respiratory system: The organs that are involved in breathing. These include the nose, throat, larynx,trachea, bronchi, and lungs.

Rhinoplasty: surgical repair of the nose.

Rhinophyma: a nodular swelling and congestion of the nose in an advanced stage of acne rosacea.

Rhinotomy: surgical incision on the side of the nose

S T U

Salivary gland: any of various glands that secrete a fluid, especially saliva into the mouth cavity

Sarcoma: A type of cancer that starts in bone or connective tissue.

Shunt: A drainage system.

Septoplasty: surgical repair of the nasal septum.

Serous Otitis Media: a form of ear infection characterized by the accumulation of serous fluid in the middle ear

Side effects: Problems that occur when treatment affects healthy cells. Common side effects of cancer treatment are fatigue, nausea, vomiting, decreased blood cell counts, hair loss, and mouth sores.

Sinusitis: Sinusitis is inflammation of the lining membrane of any of the hollow areas (sinuses) of the bone of the skull around the nose. The sinuses are directly connected to the nasal cavities.

Speech pathologist: A specialist who evaluates and treats people with communication and swallowing problems. Also called a speech therapist.

Squamous cell carcinoma: Cancer that begins in squamous cells, which are thin, flat cells resembling fish scales. Squamous cells are found in the tissue that forms the surface of the skin, the lining of the hollow organs of the body, and the passages of the respiratory and digestive tracts

Stage: The extent of a cancer, especially whether the disease has spread from the original site to other parts of the body.

Staging: Doing exams and tests to learn the extent of a cancer, especially whether it has spread from its original site to other parts of the body.

Steroids: A large group of chemical substances classified by chemical structure. Steroids include drugs used to relieve swelling and inflammation (such as prednisone), vitamin D, and sex steroids

Stereotactic radiosurgery: A radiation therapy technique that uses a large number of narrow, precisely aimed, highly focused beams of ionizing radiation. The beams are aimed from many directions circling the head, and meet at a specific point, the tumor.

Stoma: An opening into the body from the outside created by a surgery.

Strabismus: Imperfect eye coordination (crossed eyes).

Stricture: Abnormal narrowing of a body part due to inflammation or scar tissue

Stridor: A harsh, vibrating sound heard during respiration in cases of obstruction of the air passages

Subcutaneous: Beneath the skin.

Subglottis: The lower part of the larynx; the area from just below the vocal cords down to the top of the trachea.

Submandibular gland: a salivary gland inside and near the lower edge of the mandible

Submaxillary gland = submandibular gland

Supraglottis: The upper part of the larynx, including the epiglottis; the area above the vocal cords.

Surgery: An operation.

Systemic - circulating throughout the body.

Tinnitus: Ringing in the ears. Tinnitus has many causes including medications (such as aspirin, and other antiinflammatory drugs), aging, and ear trauma.

Tonsils: Small masses of lymphatic tissue on either side of the throat.

Trachea: The trachea is a tube-like portion of the breathing or "respiratory" tract that connects the "voice box" (larynx) with the bronchial parts of the lungs. It is also called the "windpipe."

Tracheal stenosis: narrowing or constricting of the trachea

Tracheoesophageal fistula: an abnormal opening between the esophagus and trachea

Tracheoesophageal puncture: A small opening made by a surgeon between the esophagus and the trachea. A valve keeps food out of the trachea but lets air into the esophagus for esophageal speech.

Tracheostomy: Surgery to create an opening (stoma) into the windpipe. The opening itself may also be called a tracheostomy.

Tracheostomy button: A 1/2- to 1 1/2-inch-long plastic tube placed in the stoma to keep it open.

Tracheostomy tube: A 2- to 3-inch metal or plastic tube that keeps the stoma and trachea open. Also called a trach ("trake") tube.

Tumor: An abnormal mass of tissue. Tumors can be benign or malignant.

Tumor debulking: Surgically removing as much of the tumor as possible.

Uvula: The prominent anatomic structure dangling downward visibly at the back of the mouth (pharynx).

Ultrasound: Visualization of structures in the body by recording the reflections of sound waves directed into tissues. May be used during surgery.

V W X Y Z

Vascular: Relating to blood vessels.

Vascularity: The blood supply of a tumor.

Vertigo: Dizziness.

Vocal cords: Two small bands of muscle within the larynx. They close to prevent food from getting into the lungs, and they vibrate to produce the voice.

X-ray: High-energy radiation. It is used in low doses to diagnose diseases and in high doses to treat cancer.