[Brief history of the otolaryngology department in the Air-Force Institute of aviation medicine].

Air Force Institute of Aviation Medicine with Clinics, celebrating its 67th anniversary, continues the traditions of research institute of Aeromedical Studies Centre, established in 1928. In 1936 it was renamed in to Leibnitz Institute of Medical Studies. The activity of aeromedical service was interrupted by the outbreak of World War II and continued in the Laboratory of Aviation Physiology and Hygiene. In 1946, Central Laboratory of Aviation Medicine was established, together with the Clinic and Aeromedical Commission, converted into Central Institute of Aeromedical Studies in 1947 and then, into Military Scientific Research and Experimental Institute of Aviation Medicine. In 1958 it was given the name of Air Force Institute of Aviation Medicine-in 1972-with Clinics. Simultaneously with scientific-research activity, aviation medicine developed, dealing with specifics factors affecting pilots during flights. As far otolaryngology is concerned, it deals, apart from the treatment being the domain of otolaryngologists, with histopathology of the equilibrium system and auditory organ, effects of rapid changes, barometric pressure and acceleration on human organism, the influence of weightlessness, the phenomenon of habituation and the effect of Coriolis acceleration on the equilibrium system.