What is the medical term for a nosebleed?

The medical term for a nosebleed is "epistaxis." This term originates from the Greek words "epi," meaning "upon," and "staxis," meaning "to drip" or "to flow." Epistaxis specifically refers to bleeding that occurs from the nasal cavity and can be triggered by various factors such as dry air, trauma, or underlying health conditions.

Understanding the other terms is helpful in differentiating them from epistaxis. Rhinorrhea refers to a condition commonly known as a runny nose, where there is an excessive discharge of mucus from the nasal cavity. Sinusitis is the inflammation of the sinuses, which can lead to symptoms such as facial pain and nasal congestion but is not directly associated with bleeding. Allergy refers to a hypersensitivity reaction by the immune system, which may result in symptoms like sneezing and nasal congestion but does not denote bleeding. Thus, when identifying the correct term for a nosebleed, epistaxis accurately conveys the specific condition.