Important ENT Review Exam Notes for MBBS
Important ENT Notes for Exam Review are collections of major notes for medical students, especially MBBS students. They will help with revising before the exam. They are in a short-cut format and easy and fast to review.
ENT Quick Revision Notes
1) FACIAL NERVE—secretomotor N.fibres of SphenoPalatine Ganglion supply the Lacrimal gland, Injury to Facial N.at Geniculate Ganglion–>Dryness of eyes, Site of lesion of F.N. causing Lacrimal gland involvement is Matoid Foramen, FACIAL NERVE PALSY—common cause–Bell’s Palsy, F.N.P.-due Trauma, Immediate Rx–Decompression,
2) MIDDLE MEATUS OF NOSE—Frontal air cells, Ant. Ethmoide, Maxillary sinus opens in it, BULLA-ETHMOIDALIS, HIATUS SEMILUNARIS are seen, —
3) NAOPHARYNGEAL CANCER—EBV is a causative agent, Spreads to Lymph nodes, commonest Presentation–Cervical adenopathy, there is a High Incidence of NODAL METASTASIS, –
4) OTITIS MEDIA—ASOM (ACUTE SUPPURATIVE OTITIS MEDIA) commonest cause–Pneumococcus –>very serious O.M., Pulsatile Otorrhea seen, 3yrs. Child with Fever, Earache, Congested T.M. with slight Bulge, is it the commonest cause of hearing loss? Rx–Penicillin ( Myringotomy+ penicillin)–
5) NASAL POLYP—ANTROCHOANAL P.—& POLYPECTOMY-intranasal & ext.approach–arises from maxillary sinus, single & unilateral,
6) ATROPHIC RHINITIS—Sx young operation done., ozaena is seen, anosmia, alkaline douche sol’n=NaCl, Na-borate, NaHCo3
7) STRIDOR—effect of BILAT. RLN damage, the most common cause in adults–malignancy, Rx of congenital laryngeal stridor =reassurance to parents, the most common cause of stridor in newborns–laryngomalacia,—–
8) TRACHEOSTOMY—complication commonly occurs in children: difficult decannulation, indication–stridor, coma of long duration, diphtheria, laryngeal obstruction.flail chest, tetanus(cyanotic spells). It is not used in F.B. / Obst.of post-basal lobe /bronchus, the commonest complication of paediatric–Pneumothorax, ——–((6))
9) TYMPANIC MEMBRANE—Blue Drum–seen in Secretory otitis media, nerve supply auriculotemporal nerve, T.M.-mobility–most mobile part-central,
10) LITTLE’S AREA— arterial supply = Ant. Ethmoidal art., Septal branch of facial art., Nasal branch of Sphenopalatine art., it is the commonest Bleeding site of nose / EPISTAXIS, or KIESSELBACH’S PLEXUS—Bleeding Area of nose is situated in the AnteroInferior surface of septum/medial wall of nasal cavity, ——
11) HEARING LOSS—SENSORENEURAL H.L.—(SNHL)–causes-old age, Cochlear Otosclerosis,Loud sound, Rx–COCHLEAR IMPLANT, Hydrops of Endolymphatic system-seen-in Alport’s synd.,Usher’s synd.,Pendred’s synd.,———-((5))
12) MIDDLE EAR CAVITY—Nerve supply–Glossopharyngeal nerve, Floor–formed by INTERNAL JUGULAR BULB, In middle ear desease-there is – increased Threshold of AC & decreased BC (BC>AC), Resistance in middle ear-is-tested by IMPEDENCE Audiometry, Prominent Emenece over medial wall of middle ear is formed by COCHLEA ( BASAL TURNS),———-((5))
13) NASAL CAVITY—Function–Warming, Moistening, Filtration, NASAL SEPTUM—is formed by the Vomer bone, the Perpendicular bone of Ethmoid, Rostrum of Sphenoid, APPLE-JELLY NODULES on the nasal septum–is due to Lupus Vulgaris, NASAL CARTILAGE– 3 Paired & 1 Unpaired cartilages, NASAL MUCOSA—supplied mainly by the external.Carotid artery,———–((5))
14) RECURRENT LARYNGEAL NERVE—partial RLN palsy produces Vocal cord in the paramedian position, closely related to Inf. thyroid artery, BILAT.RLN PALSY=ADDUCTED position & stridor, supplies all except cricothyroid( SLN),———-((5))
15) RHINOSPORODIOSIS— Russell bodies seen, Rx- Dapson, fungal infection, max.in Tamil Nadu, Rx excision with cautery at base,———–((5))
16) DNS / DEVIATED NASAL SEPTUM —sharp DNS–Epitaxis, SPUR, recurrent sinusitis, Newborn with DNS= 20%, inf.tubinate hypertrophy, COTTEL’S TEST–patency of nares in DNS,————((5))
17) FRONTAL SINUS–F.S. develops from the ant. Ethmoidal cells, PNEUMATOCELE–fracture of F.S., not present at birth, FRONTAL MUCOCELE————-((5))
18) EPIGLOTTITIS—ACUTE–Commonest Organism causing it is -Hemophilus Influenzae, DOC in children–Ampicillin, commonest cause of death is- Respiratory obstruction,–
19) MYRINGOTOMY—done on POSTERO-INFERIOR Quadrant of T.M., commonest indication–Serous Otitis Media, a child with otitis media with Bulging T.M. with dull look, PUS in middle ear under tension,-
20) PLUMMER VINSON’S SYND.—ass. With oesophageal ca., post cricoid growth, IDA, females, premalignant ( for hypopharyngeal ca., ———((4))
21) QUINSY—PERITONSILLAR ABSCESS—org.-streptococcus, quinsy+trimus–> Rx for 48 hrs. antibiotics only & then oral drainage,
22) SEPTAL PERFORATION—of Cartilagenous nasal septum–septal abscess, leprosy ( ant. Septal perf.), Bony septal perforation–syphilis, Mucosa; inv. With nasal septum perforation in jaws-is-known as GANGOSA, ——–((4))
23) MAXILLARY SINUSITIS—commonest / chronic sinusitis in children,———((4))
24) PATCH IN THROAT— / MEMBRANE IN THROAT — (1) Vincent’s angina, Black colour patch in mouth, (2) candida, (3) diphtheria (4) streptococcus, & IN THROAT OF ADULT—-> Hemophilus, streptococcus, Neisseria, organisms are seen but not E-Coli,
25) GLUE EAR—8 yrs. Old child, Bilateral Conductive Deafness, seen in SECRETORY OTITIS MEDIA, or SEROUS OTITIS MEDIA—FLAT Tympanogram, ——–((4))
26) MYRINGOPLASTY—Plastic Repair of T.M., note- initially audiometry done & then Sx done, or TYMPANOPLASTY—before T.plasty surgeon looks for cochlear reserve, temporal fascia is used -its metabolic rate is low, –
27) BRAIN OTOGENIC ABSCESS—Mx-drainage of abscess followed by mastoidectomy, commonest site–temporal petrosal lobe, TEMPORAL LOBE ABSCESS—occurs in unsafe otitis media with high fever, convulsions –
28) ADENOIDECTOMY— Indication–Recurrent Otitis Media, Sleep Apnoea syndrome., Middle ear infection. With deafness, C I– Submucous Cleft Palate, control of Haemorrhage–by Post.Nasal PACK –
29) ARNOLD’S NERVE—is a Branch of the vagus nerve. Irritation of this causes a cough. The cough response caused while cleaning the ear canal is mediated by stimulation of X Cr.N.———-(3)
30) CARDIOSPASM / ACHALASIA CARDIA— difficulty in swallowing Liquids but not for solids, associated. With degeneration of the nerve plexus in the oesophagus, Barium Swallow shows dilatation with a smooth, narrow ending,
31) ENDOLYMPH—most imp. Constituent-K+ is seen in Scala Media, Drains into Virchow Robin Space,
32) EUSTACHIAN TUBE—most common cause of E.T. disease–ADENOIDS, LENGTH=36mm( 3.6 cm),
33) GLOMUS TUMOUR—in the middle ear, Location–Hypotympanum, Pulsatile Tinnitus, Pulsatile tumour in EAM which bleeds to touch,-
34) GRADENIGO’S SYNDROME.—abducent VI Nr. Palsy, Retroorbital Pain, pain over face, Aural discharge/ otorrhoea, Paralysis of Ext./lat Rectus, Nr. Inv.= 5,6, GRADENIGO’S TRIAD—Mastoiditis, Petrositis, L R palsy,
35) MULTIPLE PAPILLOMA OF LARYNX—Rx Excision with Laser, common in Infants & Children, Laryngeal papilloma are usually multiple & VIRAL in origin, usual site of papilloma is larynx, Rx of single P.= Removal by Direct Laryngoscopy, –
36) TUBERCULOSIS OF LARYNX/TUBERCULOUS LARYNGITIS— KISS ULCER of Larynx, common site of T.B. Larynx is POST.COMMISSURE OF L.
37) OTITIS EXTERNA—MALIGNANT–caused by P.Aeroginosa, common in D.M., & OLD age,
38) RHINOSCLEROSIS / RHINOSCLEROMA— bacilli infec., Mickulitz & Russel bodies seen,—
39) RINNE’S TEST—+ve seen in presbycusis, -ve(BC>AC)–>middle ear disease,
40) CSF RHINORRHOEA— ant. cranial fossa fractures / Cribriform plate fracture, most imm. Rx-prophylactic antibiotics& x-ray, –
41) ETHMOIDAL SINUS–First sinus to appear after Birth, ETH.S. Adenocarcinoma–seen in WOOD workers & Nickel workers,
42) MAXILLARY SINUS—maxillary antrum commonest malignancy=sq.cell ca., secondary deposits from M.S.–>submandibular L.N.’S, this is present at birth,
43) SINUSITIS— blood-stained rhinorrhoea, nasal blockage, facial edema, complication=orbital cellulitis, Sx-proof puncture,-
44) STAPEDIAL MUSCLE—supplied by facial cr. Nerve, STAPEDIAL REFLEX—protective against loud sound, mediated by VII & VIII CR. N.,-
45) SUPRAMEATAL SPINE OF HENLE—landmark on lat. surface of the temporal bone, which acts as a guide to surgery to the antrum,
46) VOCAL FOLDS—& VOCAL FOLD CA.—Vocal folds are abducted by post. cricoarytenoid, in CA. L.N.’Smets never seen,,has good prog.,
47) FRACTURES OF ZYGOMA— undisplaced fracture–no specific Rx,
/
🩺 ENT High-Yield Topics for MBBS
👂 EAR (Very Important)
🔑 Core Topics
- Otitis Media
- Acute Suppurative Otitis Media (ASOM)
- Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media (CSOM) – Safe vs Unsafe
- Hearing Loss
- Conductive vs Sensorineural (key differences)
- Audiometry basics (Rinne & Weber tests)
- Otitis Externa
- Tympanic Membrane Perforation
- Mastoiditis
⭐ Must-Know Conditions
- Cholesteatoma (very important for exams)
- Ménière’s disease (triad: vertigo, tinnitus, hearing loss)
- Otosclerosis
- Acoustic neuroma
🔍 Practical/Viva Focus
- Tuning fork tests interpretation
- Indications for mastoidectomy
- Complications of CSOM (intracranial & extracranial)
👃 NOSE & PARANASAL SINUSES
🔑 Core Topics
- Deviated Nasal Septum (DNS)
- Epistaxis (management is commonly asked)
- Sinusitis
- Acute vs Chronic
- Nasal Polyps (ethmoidal vs antrochoanal)
⭐ Must-Know Conditions
- Allergic Rhinitis
- Rhinosinusitis
- Nasopharyngeal carcinoma
🔍 Practical/Viva Focus
- Little’s area (Kiesselbach’s plexus)
- Management of epistaxis (anterior vs posterior packing)
- X-ray/CT PNS basics
👄 THROAT (PHARYNX & LARYNX)
🔑 Core Topics
- Tonsillitis
- Adenoid hypertrophy
- Pharyngitis
- Laryngitis
⭐ Must-Know Conditions
- Carcinoma larynx (very important long case)
- Vocal cord nodules
- Laryngeal nerve palsy
- Stridor (causes & emergency management)
🔍 Practical/Viva Focus
- Indications for tonsillectomy
- Types of hoarseness of voice
- Airway management basics (tracheostomy)
⚠️ EMERGENCIES (VERY HIGH YIELD)
- Airway obstruction
- Foreign body in ear, nose, airway
- Epistaxis (severe)
- Peritonsillar abscess (Quinsy)
- Ludwig’s angina
🧠 FREQUENTLY ASKED SHORT NOTES
- Eustachian tube functions
- Vertigo (peripheral vs central)
- Tinnitus
- Facial nerve palsy (Bell’s palsy)
- Tracheostomy vs Cricothyrotomy
- Sleep apnea
ENT Last-Minute Revision Cheat Sheet
👂 EAR
🔑 Key Points
- Rinne Test
- Positive = Normal/SNHL
- Negative = Conductive hearing loss
- Weber Test
- Lateralizes to bad ear → Conductive
- Lateralizes to good ear → SNHL
🎯 Must-Revise
- CSOM
- Safe: Central perforation
- Unsafe: Attic perforation → Cholesteatoma ⚠️
- Cholesteatoma
- Bone-eroding → serious complications
- Surgery = Mastoidectomy
- Ménière’s disease
- Triad: Vertigo + Tinnitus + Hearing loss
- Otosclerosis
- Young female, conductive hearing loss
- Treatment: Stapedectomy
🚨 Complications of CSOM
- Extracranial: Mastoiditis, facial palsy
- Intracranial: Brain abscess, meningitis
👃 NOSE
🔑 High-Yield Facts
- Little’s area (Kiesselbach’s plexus) → common site of epistaxis
- DNS → most common cause of nasal obstruction
🎯 Must-Revise
- Epistaxis Management
- Pinch nose
- Anterior packing
- Posterior packing (severe)
- Nasal Polyps
- Ethmoidal → bilateral, allergic
- Antrochoanal → unilateral
- Sinusitis
- Maxillary sinus most commonly affected
👄 THROAT
🔑 Key Topics
- Tonsillitis
- Indication for tonsillectomy: recurrent infection
- Quinsy (Peritonsillar abscess)
- Trismus + deviated uvula
🎯 Must-Revise
- Carcinoma Larynx
- Early symptom: Hoarseness
- Risk factor: Smoking
- Vocal Cord Palsy
- Recurrent laryngeal nerve involvement
- Stridor
- Emergency → airway obstruction
🚨 ENT EMERGENCIES
- Foreign body (ear/nose/airway)
- Severe epistaxis
- Ludwig’s angina
- Airway obstruction → Tracheostomy may be needed
🧠 FREQUENT VIVA QUESTIONS
- Difference: Conductive vs SNHL
- Types of tympanic membrane perforation
- Indications of tracheostomy
- Causes of vertigo
- Facial nerve palsy causes
📝 SUPER QUICK MNEMONICS
- Ménière’s Triad → VTH
👉 Vertigo + Tinnitus + Hearing loss - Epistaxis common site → Little’s area
- CSOM Unsafe = Attic = Danger ⚠️
⏱️ LAST 5-MINUTE STRATEGY
- Revise CSOM + Cholesteatoma
- Go through Epistaxis steps
- Memorize Rinne & Weber
- Quickly scan larynx carcinoma
- Brush up ENT emergencies
ENT Rapid-Fire Viva Questions
These are the list of viava question in ENT you have to prepare for
👂 EAR
- What is Rinne test?
- When is Rinne negative?
- What does Weber test show?
- Define conductive hearing loss.
- Define sensorineural hearing loss.
- What is CSOM?
- Types of CSOM?
- What is cholesteatoma?
- One complication of CSOM?
- What is otosclerosis?
- Classic triad of Ménière’s disease?
- What is tinnitus?
- Nerve involved in acoustic neuroma?
👃 NOSE
- What is DNS (Deviated Nasal Septum)?
- Most common site of epistaxis?
- What is Little’s area?
- Causes of epistaxis?
- First step in managing epistaxis?
- Types of nasal polyps?
- Difference: ethmoidal vs antrochoanal polyp?
- Most common sinus affected?
- What is sinusitis?
👄 THROAT
- What is tonsillitis?
- Indications for tonsillectomy?
- What is quinsy?
- Key feature of peritonsillar abscess?
- Early symptom of carcinoma larynx?
- Risk factor for carcinoma larynx?
- What is stridor?
- Causes of hoarseness?
- Nerve involved in vocal cord palsy?
🚨 EMERGENCIES
- What is Ludwig’s angina?
- Management of airway obstruction?
- What is tracheostomy?
- Indications of tracheostomy?
- What to do in foreign body airway?
🧠 MIXED HIGH-YIELD
- What is vertigo?
- Peripheral vs central vertigo difference?
- What is facial nerve palsy?
- Causes of facial palsy?
- Function of Eustachian tube?
- Difference: tracheostomy vs cricothyrotomy?
⚡ Bonus Rapid-Fire (Exam Favorites)
- Safest part of tympanic membrane?
- Dangerous area of ear?
- Why is cholesteatoma dangerous?
- Most common cause of nasal obstruction?
- Most common cause of hoarseness?
