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Rhinosinusitis: Terminology
(Glossary of Terms)
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Patients & Consumers Rhinosinusitis: Terminology (Glossary of Terms)
Last updated: 2001
Acute rhinosinusitis: Symptoms of rhinosinusitis that begin suddenly, often about one week after a typical "cold".
Ageusia: A loss of the sense of taste. Patients who experience anosmia may also experience partial ageusia.
Anosmia: A loss of the sense of smell. Anosmia is a common side-effect of blockage of the anterior ethmoid sinuses.
Barosinusitis: This is a sudden pain that develops in one sinus area as a result of sudden swelling and closure of the sinus opening (ostium).
Chronic rhinosinusitis: Patients are diagnosed with chronic rhinosinusitis when their rhinosinusitis symptoms persist for greater than 12 weeks despite medical treatment. Chronic sinus disease may be caused by anatomic sinus ostial narrowing, mucociliary disturbances or immune deficiency.
Cilia: Microscopic "hairs" on the surface of the sinus membranes that provide a sweeping action to move mucus out of the sinuses.
Concha bullosa deformity: This is a common "anatomic variant" characterized by an air-filled middle turbinate. If large, concha bullosa may contribute to impaired nasal breathing.
Eosinophil: A type of white blood cell that usually comprises < 5% of all white blood cells in the blood. Eosinophils are found in increased numbers in chronic rhinosinusitis, nasal polyps and asthma. They contribute to inflammation by production of inflammatory mediators, such as leukotriene C4.
Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS): The most common type of sinus surgery. The goal of FESS is to remove blockages in the ostiomeatal complex thereby improving drainage from the ethmoid and maxillary sinuses.
Haller Cell: An "anatomic variant" that develops as an air cell from the ethmoid sinuses and develops into the floor of the orbit. If large, the haller cell may narraow maxillary and/or ethmoid ostia and contribute to the development of rhinosinusitis.
Middle meatus: An important drainage pathway through the ostiomeatal complex.
Ostiomeatal complex: The drainage area for the maxillary sinus and the anterior ethmoid sinus on each side. This area commonly becomes blocked by swelling of the sinus membranes leading to an infection and mucus accumulation in the maxillary and anterior ethmoid sinus.
Ostium (plural = ostia): The opening point at which each sinus empties into the nasal cavity. The frontal, maxillary and sphenoid sinuses each have a small sinus ostium. In contrast, the ethmoid sinuses have multiple small sinus ostia.
Rhinoscopy (nasal endoscopy): An examination of the nose and sinuses using a flexible or rigid endoscope. Also known as nasal or sinus endoscopy.
Rhinosinusitis: Inflammation of the sinus passages due to infection or other causes.
Septum: The vertical bone that separates the right from the left side of the nose.
Septoplasty: A surgical procedure designed to straighten the nasal septum.
Turbinate (inferior, middle, superior): Normal structures within the nasal cavity that help humidify and filter air as it passes through the nose. Each turbinate is also know as a concha.
© 1996-2008 · All Rights Reserved · American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology
