The ears, nose, and throat are located near each other and have separate but related functions.
The ears Ears The ear, which is the organ of hearing and balance, consists of the outer, middle, and inner ear. The outer, middle, and inner ear function together to convert sound waves into nerve impulses... read more and nose Nose and Sinuses The nose is the organ of smell and a main passageway for air into and out of the lungs. The nose warms, moistens, and cleans air before it enters the lungs. The bones of the face around the... read more are sensory organs, which are necessary for the senses of hearing, balance, and smell.
The throat Throat The throat (pharynx) is located behind the mouth, below the nasal cavity, and above the hollow tube that leads from the throat to the stomach (esophagus) and windpipe (trachea). It consists... read more mainly functions as a pathway through which food and fluids travel to the esophagus (the hollow tube that leads from the throat to the stomach) and air passes to the lungs.
Primary care doctors often diagnose and treat disorders involving these organs, but otolaryngologists (also called ear, nose, and throat or ENT doctors) specialize in them.
Ear, Nose, and Throat
 |
