ENT - Disorders of the Nose, Throat and Balance system

Question 1

What are the main physiological functions of the nose?

Answer 1

Respiration
Olfaction
Conditioning of inspired air
Immune defence

Question 2

What are the main physiological functions of the mouth and throat?

Answer 2

Breathing
Talking
Eating
Drinking

Question 3

What symptoms might you get from conditions affecting the nose?

Answer 3

Rhinorrhoea
Blocked nose
Reduced sense of smell.
Inflammation
Post-nasal drip
Pain/tenderness around your eyes, nose, cheeks or jaw.

Question 4

What symptoms might you get from conditions affecting the throat and neck?

Answer 4

Painful swallowing
Difficulty swallowing
Halitosis
Swelling of the glands in your throat or jaw
Pain
Sore, swollen tonsils with or without exudate
A hoarse or muffled voice

Question 5

What are the three sensory inputs of the balance system?

Answer 5

Visual system
Vestibular system
Sensory system

Question 6

What is the definition of vertigo?

Answer 6

It refers to a false sensation of movement (spinning or rotation) of the person or their surroundings in the absence of any actual physical movement.

Question 7

How is vertigo different from other types of dizziness?

Answer 7

Dizziness can be a range of sensations including feeling light-headed, faint, woozy, giddy, unsteady, off-balance or weak.
Vertigo is centred around a false sense of movement.

Question 8

What are the definitions of syncope and pre-syncope?

Answer 8

Syncope = A transient, spontaneous loss of consciousness followed by complete recovery.

Pre-syncope = near-fainting.

Question 9

What is nystagmus?
What is meant by the slow phase and fast phase of jerk nystagmus?

Answer 9

A rhythmical, repetitive and involuntary movement of the eyes.

A slow phase which causes the eyes to drift in a certain direction and a fast phase which bring the eyes back to primary position (central position).