The ears, nose, and throat have two things in common: they are located near each other and have separate but related functions. The ears and nose are sensory organs—necessary for the senses of hearing, balance, and smell. The throat mainly functions as a pathway through which food and fluids travel to the esophagus and air passes to the lungs. Primary care doctors often diagnose and treat disorders involving these organs, but doctors called otolaryngologists specialize in them.

Last full review/revision March 2006 by Harold C. Pillsbury III, MD; Austin S. Rose, MD