HEENT stands for which body regions?

• A. Heart, eyes, ears, nose, throat
• B. Head, esophagus, ears, nose, throat
• C. Head, eyes, ears, nose, throat
• D. Health, endocrine, ENT, nervous system

Answer: (C)

HEENT focuses on the head and neck region and the sensory structures housed there. It stands for Head, Eyes, Ears, Nose, Throat. In this exam you assess the scalp and skull for symmetry or deformities; the eyes for vision, pupil size and reaction, and eye movements; the ears for ear canal and tympanic membrane and basic hearing; the nose for patency and mucous membranes (including nasal septum and sinuses); and the throat for the oral cavity and oropharynx, including tonsils and the posterior throat. This grouping provides a practical, standardized way to evaluate common sources of symptoms like headaches, vision changes, hearing problems, nasal obstruction, sore throat, or throat pain, and is distinct from other body systems such as the heart, esophagus, or endocrine/nervous systems.