Section 19. Ear, Nose, and Throat Disorders

Chapter 222. Throat Disorders

Topics: Introduction | Tonsillar Cellulitis and Abscess | Epiglottitis | Laryngitis | Vocal Cord Nodules and Polyps | Contact Ulcers of the Vocal Cords | Vocal Cord Paralysis | Laryngoceles

Introduction

Disorders of the throat (pharynx) and voice box (larynx) include inflammation and infections, vocal cord polyps and nodules, cancer (see Section 19, Chapter 223), contact ulcers, vocal cord paralysis, and laryngoceles. Laryngeal papillomas usually affect children (see Section 23, Chapter 276).

Throat infections (pharyngitis) are particularly common in children, although adults get them as well. Causes, symptoms, and treatment are similar in both groups (see Section 23, Chapter 276), except that in adults, gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted disease, sometimes infects the throat.