1.
ENT (ear, nose, and throat) department; otolaryngology
The medical specialty and the corresponding department of a hospital or clinic that treats diseases of the ear, nose, throat, and adjoining areas of the head and neck. Patients visit it for problems such as ear infections, hearing loss, sinusitis, sore throat, hoarseness, dizziness, and hay fever.
If your hearing gets worse, you should be examined at an ENT clinic as soon as possible.
Composed of 耳 (ear), 鼻 (nose), 咽喉 (throat; pharynx and larynx), and 科 (department; specialty). The English equivalent ENT (ear-nose-throat) is structurally identical, just shorter.
Usage
The full official name of the medical specialty and the corresponding hospital department, used on signage, prescriptions, insurance cards, and referral letters. In casual conversation it is very often shortened to 耳鼻科 ('ear-nose department'), which patients find easier to say. The shortened form is informal but completely standard. Some clinics now use even broader names like 耳鼻咽喉科・頭頚部外科 (otolaryngology and head & neck surgery) on their nameplates.
Common collocations
- 耳鼻咽喉科に行く: to go to the ENT clinic
- 耳鼻咽喉科を受診する: to see an ENT doctor
- 耳鼻咽喉科医: ENT physician (otolaryngologist)
- 耳鼻咽喉科クリニック: ENT clinic