What is the medical term for a runny nose?

The medical term for a runny nose is rhinorrhea. This term is specifically used to describe the condition where there is an excessive discharge of mucus from the nasal cavity, often due to inflammation or irritation of the nasal mucosa. Rhinorrhea can occur due to various reasons, such as allergies, colds, or infections, and is characterized by clear, watery mucus.

While nasal discharge refers to the same phenomenon, it is a broader term that doesn't carry the specific medical connotation that rhinorrhea does. Coughing is not related to the production of mucus from the nose but instead involves the respiratory system. Sinusitis, on the other hand, refers to the inflammation of the sinuses, which may cause nasal congestion but is not synonymous with a runny nose itself. Thus, rhinorrhea is the precise term used in medical contexts for a runny nose.