Otorhinolaryngology Language Workshop

Again, this list is in no way an exhaustive list of ENT word-building word parts and abbreviations. It is meant merely to be a review of words commonly associated with the ENT specialty—words you are likely to be exposed to in this FOMS unit, in the practicum modules of this training program, and as a successful working medical editor.

Common Otorhinolaryngology Root Words and Combining Forms Root Word & Combining Form Meaning Example aden/o gland adenopathy adenoid/o adenoids adenoidectomy aer/o air aerosinusitis aur/o ear auricle bronch/o windpipe bronchoscopy bucc/o cheek buccodistal cephal/o head cephalostat cervic/o neck cervicofacial chondr/o cartilage chondroblast dent/i, dent/o teeth dental dips/o thirst polydipsia gloss/o tongue glossopexy gnath/o jaw gnathodynia labi/o lip labiolingual laryng/o larynx laryngopharynx lingu/o tongue linguoaxial medi/o middle mediolateral muc/o mucus mucopurulent nas/o nose nasopharyngeal odont/o teeth odontoma or/o mouth oronasal ot/o ear otolaryngology pharyng/o pharynx pharyngitis phon/o sound/voice phonosurgery rhin/o nose rhinology

Common Otorhinolaryngology Prefixes Prefix Meaning Example ab- away from abduct ad- toward adduct epi- above/on epicondylectomy eu- good/normal euthyroid hyper- excessive, greater than normal hyperesthesia hypo-/sub- below, beneath normal hyponatremia macro- large macrocephaly meso- middle or moderate mesostructure micro- small microblade peri- around/near perivascular

Common Otorhinolaryngology Suffixes Suffix Meaning Example -centesis procedure to aspirate fluid paracentesis -ectasia/ectasis dilatation telangiectasia -edema swelling lymphedema -emesis vomiting hematemesis -gram record audiogram -itis inflammation tonsillitis -ium membrane sodium -megaly enlargement acromegaly -meter instrument to measure audiometer -opia vision amblyopia -phagia/-gic/-gy eating/swallowing dysphagia -phasia speech dysphasia -rrhage/-rrhagia excessive flow or discharge hemorrhage -rrhea flow or discharge rhinorrhea -scopy examination with an instrument otoscopy

Common Otorhinolaryngology Abbreviations Abbreviation Expansion CSOM chronic suppurative otitis media ENT ear, nose, and throat EUA exam under anesthesia FB foreign body FESS functional endoscopic sinus surgery MUA manipulation under anesthesia OE otitis externa OM otitis media PACU post-anesthesia care unit PE pressure equalization (tube) PNS postnasal space SMD sub-mucosal diathermy SMR submucous resection T&A tonsils and adenoids TM tympanic membrane TO tracheoesophageal UPPP uvulopalatopharyngoplasty