Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

History of Medicine

About   |  Collections   |  Exhibitions   |  Research Tools   |  Copyright   |  Get Involved   |  Visit   |  Contact

Perez on Medicine in cream lettering on a dark green background.

The Otorhinolaryngologist

King resting on a throne made of a giant skeleton, talking to athletes with various injuries. Copyright: This image may not be saved locally, modified, reproduced, or distributed by any other means without the written permission of the copyright owners.

The Otorhinolaryngologist by Jose Perez
(Oil on Canvas, 24 in x 30 in, 61.5 cm x 77 cm)

Copyright: This image may not be saved locally, modified, reproduced, or distributed by any other means without the written permission of the copyright owners.


Imagine the challenge of treating this patient for a nosebleed, chronic rhinitis, or a blocked eustachian tube! What better patient for the ear, nose, and throat doctor than an elephant? These otorhinolaryngologists could spend hours trying out all their latest fiber-optic scopes on this patient's elongated nose. And what a playground these ears make for one fascinated by external canals and tympanic membranes! Imagine removing a ball of wax from these caverns.

Although this patient looks cooperative and docile, the doctor must never forget that a sneeze might be disastrous. And if the assistant happens to step on a ticklish toe, it might provoke an uproarious protest and result in one squashed assistant.


Last Reviewed: May 11, 2012