otorhinolaryngology

(ōˌtō-rīˌnō-lărˌĭng-gŏlˈə-jē)

noun

Related Forms:

• oˌto·rhiˌno·la·rynˌgo·logˈi·cal (-lə-rĭngˌgə-lŏjˈĭ-kəl) adjective

• oˌto·rhiˌno·larˌyn·golˈo·gist noun

Word History: Otorhinolaryngology is the type of medical specialty that drives the layperson to despair, both of pronouncing the word properly and of having any notion of what it means. The words ear, nose, and throat are quite clear, however, and that is what is meant by oto-, rhino-, and laryngo-, which are the forms of Greek ous, “ear,” rhīs, “nose,” and larunx, “larynx or upper part of the windpipe,” respectively, when used in combination with other word forms.