The ear, which is comprised of outer, middle, and inner portions, is responsible for
hearing and
balance. The outer ear captures sound waves that are then converted into mechanical energy by the middle ear. The inner ear is responsible for converting the mechanical energy into nerve impulses that travel to the brain. The inner ear is also responsible for maintaining balance.
The nose, made up of bone and cartilage, serves several important roles including facilitating the sense of smell and functioning as a primary passageway of air into and out of the
lungs. The nose also gives resonance to the voice. The paranasal sinuses and tear ducts drain into the nose.
The throat, which is also called the pharynx, is comprised of the nasopharynx, the oropharynx, and the hypopharynx. The throat is located behind the mouth, above the esophagus and trachea, and below the nasal cavity. Food is carried through the throat's muscular passageway to the esophagus. In addition, air is carried through the throat to the lungs.
View sub-topics at right to learn more about some specific ear, nose, and throat disorders and some of their common causes.
See Also
- Balance problems: Overview
- Hearing Loss
- 1,2,3-Trichloropropane
- 1,3-Butadiene
- 2-Butanone
- 2-Butoxyethanol
- Advair Diskus
- Ammonia
- Bis(2-chloroethyl) Ether
- Bis(chloromethyl) Ether
- Boron
- CCP Paper: Overview
- Chlorfenvinphos
- Chlorine Dioxide
- Factor VIII / Antihemophilic Factor (AHF)
- Florida Toxic Algae: Overview
- Formaldehyde Exposure: Overview
- Frito-Lay Contamination: Overview
- Furan
- GE Capacitators - Queensbury, New York: Overview
- Hydrogen Chloride
- Hydrogen Sulfide
- Isophorone
- Latex
- Lewisite (Blister Agent)
- Lipari Landfill: Overview
- Massena GM Plant: Overview
- Methyl Isocyanate
- Methyl Parathion
- Methylamines Exposure: Overview
- Migrant Workers: Overview
- Mumps-Measels-Rubella Vaccine: Overview
- N-hexane
- Nitrogen Mustards (HN-1, HN-2, HN-3) (Blister Agent)
- n-Nitrosodi-n-propylamine
- Otto Fuel II
- Pace, Florida: Overview
- PCBs
- Perchloroethylene
- Phosgene
- Sick Building Syndrome
- Sodium and Calcium Hypochlorite
- Sodium Hydroxide
- Stoddard Solvent
- Strontium
- Styrene
- Sulfur Dioxide
- Sulfur Trioxide
- Synthetic Vitreous Fibers
- Tetryl
- Union City Cemetery - Indiana: Overview
- Vanadium Exposure: Overview
- Vinyl Acetate
- Xylene
- Ear, Nose & Throat Disorders: Frequently Asked Questions