ABOHNS Otolaryngology study guide
ABOHNS Otolaryngology · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The American Board of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery is a certifying body whose stated mission is to serve the public by assuring that diplomates meet its standards of training, knowledge and professionalism through initial and continuing certification. Board certification is intended for physicians who have completed accredited otolaryngology training and who wish to demonstrate that they meet those standards; the board also operates continuing certification and assessment programs, and maintains a public "Check a Certification" lookup so patients and caregivers can verify a physician's status. The ABOHNS Otolaryngology study guide has 10 sections and about 2,829 words.
01General Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery: Core Principles and Clinical Reasoning
General otolaryngology rewards a disciplined airway-first, anatomy-driven approach. Master the ABCs of the compromised airway (stridor vs.
321 words, about 2 min02Otology and Neurotology: Hearing Loss, Vertigo, and the Facial Nerve
Build your otology reasoning around three frameworks : (1) conductive vs. sensorineural hearing loss on tuning forks and audiometry; (2) the site-of-lesion approach to vertigo (peripheral vs.
308 words, about 2 min03Rhinology and Sinus Surgery: Inflammation, Obstruction, and Surgical Anatomy
Rhinology questions test your ability to separate inflammatory from structural causes of nasal obstruction and to apply evidence-based medical therapy before surgery . Understand the ostiomeatal complex as the drainage pathway for the maxillary, anterior ethmoid, and frontal sinuses, and know that the sphenoid drains separately.
295 words, about 1 min04Laryngology and Voice Disorders: Dysphonia, Airway, and Swallowing
Laryngology questions hinge on history and laryngoscopy . Any dysphonia lasting more than 3 weeks , especially in a smoker, requires visualization of the larynx.
268 words, about 1 min05Head and Neck Oncologic Surgery: Staging, Workup, and Multidisciplinary Care
Head and neck oncology questions test staging logic, anatomic boundaries, and treatment sequencing . Know the AJCC TNM principles: T reflects primary tumor size and invasion, N reflects nodal burden (number, size, laterality, extracapsular extension), and M reflects distant disease.
276 words, about 1 min06Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: Aesthetics, Reconstruction, and Trauma
Facial plastic questions blend aesthetic analysis, reconstructive principles, and trauma management . For the aging face, understand the three tissue layers (skin, subcutaneous fat/muscle, and deeper fascia) and the concept of volume loss versus ptosis .
286 words, about 1 min07Pediatric Otolaryngology: Airway, Infection, and Congenital Lesions
Pediatric otolaryngology emphasizes airway size, congenital anomalies, and age-specific infection patterns . Know that the pediatric airway is narrower and more compliant , so small edema causes disproportionate obstruction.
283 words, about 1 min08Sleep Medicine and Surgery: OSA Evaluation and Treatment
Sleep medicine questions center on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) diagnosis, consequences, and treatment selection. Understand that OSA is caused by pharyngeal collapse during sleep and is associated with hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and metabolic dysfunction.
256 words, about 1 min09Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery: Nodules, Cancer, and Calcium
Thyroid questions test nodule evaluation, cancer staging, and surgical complications . Know that ultrasound is the first imaging study for thyroid nodules and that fine-needle aspiration is guided by ultrasound features (size, microcalcifications, irregular margins, hypoechogenicity).
281 words, about 1 min10Allergy and Immunology: Rhinitis, Testing, and Immunotherapy
Allergy questions focus on allergic rhinitis , testing, and immunotherapy. Understand the IgE-mediated pathway: allergen cross-links IgE on mast cells, causing histamine release and symptoms (sneezing, rhinorrhea, congestion, itchy eyes).
255 words, about 1 min