RhinoplastyRhinoplasty
Surgical reshaping of the nose.
Procedure typesBASIC↗ 3 related
Patient Guide · Glossary
Rhinoplasty medical terms glossary
Speak the same language as your surgeon. From operative techniques and anatomical landmarks to recovery milestones and possible complications — clear, clinical definitions for every term you'll encounter on your rhinoplasty journey. Each entry is reviewed by board-certified ENT and plastic surgeons.
79 of 79 terms
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Procedure types
13 termsSeptoplastySeptoplasty
Functional surgery to correct a deviated nasal septum.
Procedure typesBASIC↗ 3 related
SeptorhinoplastySeptorhinoplasty
Combined septoplasty and rhinoplasty in one operation.
Procedure typesINTERMEDIATE↗ 2 related
Open RhinoplastyOpen Rhinoplasty
Technique using a small columellar incision for full surgical exposure.
Procedure typesINTERMEDIATE↗ 3 related
Closed RhinoplastyClosed Rhinoplasty
All incisions are made inside the nose; no external scar.
Procedure typesINTERMEDIATE↗ 2 related
Piezo RhinoplastyPiezo Rhinoplasty
Modern technique that reshapes nasal bone with ultrasonic instruments.
Procedure typesADVANCED↗ 2 related
Revision RhinoplastyRevision Rhinoplasty
Corrective surgery on a previously operated nose.
Procedure typesADVANCED↗ 2 related
Secondary RhinoplastySecondary Rhinoplasty
A patient's second rhinoplasty operation.
Procedure typesADVANCED↗ 1 related
Ethnic RhinoplastyEthnic Rhinoplasty
Aesthetic approach that preserves a patient's ethnic and cultural identity.
Procedure typesINTERMEDIATE↗ 1 related
Masculine / Feminine RhinoplastyMasculine / Feminine Rhinoplasty
Gender-specific aesthetic approach to soft contours or strong angles.
Procedure typesINTERMEDIATE↗ 2 related
TipplastyTipplasty
Surgery focused exclusively on the nasal tip.
Procedure typesINTERMEDIATE↗ 2 related
AlarplastyAlarplasty
Narrowing of wide or flared nostrils.
Procedure typesINTERMEDIATE↗ 2 related
Non-surgical (Filler) RhinoplastyNon-surgical Rhinoplasty
Reshaping the nose with injectable fillers, without surgery.
Procedure typesBASIC↗ 1 related
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Nasal anatomy
14 termsSeptumSeptum
The bone–cartilage midline wall dividing the nasal cavity.
AnatomyBASIC↗ 2 related
Concha (Turbinate)Concha / Turbinate
Bone–mucosa shelves inside the nose that warm and humidify air.
AnatomyBASIC↗ 1 related
DorsumDorsum
The bridge of the nose — the ridge from root to tip.
AnatomyBASIC↗ 2 related
HumpDorsal Hump
A bony or cartilaginous prominence on the bridge of the nose.
AnatomyBASIC↗ 3 related
ColumellaColumella
The narrow strip of tissue separating the two nostrils.
AnatomyINTERMEDIATE↗ 1 related
TipTip
The tip of the nose; a critical area for aesthetic balance.
AnatomyBASIC↗ 3 related
Alar CartilageAlar Cartilage
The U-shaped paired cartilage forming the nostrils and tip.
AnatomyINTERMEDIATE↗ 2 related
Upper Lateral CartilageUpper Lateral Cartilage
Cartilage forming the side walls of the dorsum.
AnatomyINTERMEDIATE↗ 2 related
NasionNasion
The nasal root — where the nose meets the forehead.
AnatomyINTERMEDIATE↗ 2 related
RadixRadix
The slight depression just below the nasion, at the transition from the forehead.
AnatomyINTERMEDIATE↗ 1 related
SupratipSupratip
The area just above the nasal tip.
AnatomyINTERMEDIATE↗ 1 related
InfratipInfratip
The area just below the nasal tip — transitioning into the columella.
AnatomyADVANCED↗ 2 related
Nostril (Naris)Nostril
The nasal opening.
AnatomyBASIC↗ 1 related
VibrissaeVibrissae
Protective hairs at the nasal entrance.
AnatomyBASIC
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Surgical techniques
14 termsOsteotomyOsteotomy
Planned, controlled fracture of the nasal bone for repositioning.
Surgical techniquesADVANCED↗ 2 related
Spreader GraftSpreader Graft
Cartilage strip placed between septum and upper lateral cartilage to support the dorsum and nasal valve.
Surgical techniquesADVANCED↗ 2 related
Columellar StrutColumellar Strut
Cartilage rod placed in the columella to support tip projection and stability.
Surgical techniquesADVANCED↗ 2 related
Shield GraftShield Graft
A shield-shaped graft placed in front of the tip to enhance projection and definition.
Surgical techniquesADVANCED↗ 2 related
Onlay GraftOnlay Graft
A contour graft placed on top of an existing structure.
Surgical techniquesADVANCED↗ 1 related
Cephalic TrimCephalic Trim
Removal of a thin strip from the upper part of the alar cartilage to refine the tip.
Surgical techniquesADVANCED↗ 1 related
Tip RefinementTip Refinement
Making the nasal tip more delicate, defined, and symmetrical.
Surgical techniquesINTERMEDIATE↗ 2 related
Tip RotationTip Rotation
Rotating the nasal tip upward or downward.
Surgical techniquesINTERMEDIATE↗ 2 related
Tip ProjectionTip Projection
How far the nasal tip extends forward from the face.
Surgical techniquesINTERMEDIATE↗ 2 related
Dorsal PreservationDorsal Preservation
Modern approach that lowers the dorsum while preserving its natural shape.
Surgical techniquesADVANCED↗ 3 related
Let-down TechniqueLet-down Technique
Lowers the dorsum by removing a bony strip from the pyriform aperture.
Surgical techniquesADVANCED↗ 2 related
Push-down TechniquePush-down Technique
Pushes the dorsum down by collapsing the lateral bony walls inward.
Surgical techniquesADVANCED↗ 2 related
SPAR TechniqueSPAR
Septum-preserving, modular dorsal preservation approach.
Surgical techniquesADVANCED↗ 1 related
Cartilage GraftCartilage Graft
Use of cartilage from septum, ear (concha), or rib for structural support.
Surgical techniquesINTERMEDIATE↗ 3 related
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Anesthesia & preparation
5 termsGeneral AnesthesiaGeneral Anesthesia
The patient is fully asleep throughout the operation.
Anesthesia & prepBASIC
Local + SedationLocal + Sedation
Regional numbing combined with light sedative medications.
Anesthesia & prepINTERMEDIATE↗ 1 related
PreoperativePreoperative
The preparation period before surgery.
Anesthesia & prepBASIC↗ 1 related
IntraoperativeIntraoperative
The duration of the surgery — from skin incision to final closure.
Anesthesia & prepINTERMEDIATE
PostoperativePostoperative
The recovery period after surgery.
Anesthesia & prepBASIC↗ 2 related
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Recovery & care
10 termsThermoplastic SplintThermoplastic Splint
A protective rigid mold placed on top of the nose.
Recovery & careBASIC↗ 1 related
Nasal PackingNasal Packing
Dressing material placed inside the nose to control bleeding.
Recovery & careBASIC↗ 1 related
Silicone SplintSilicone Splint
Thin internal silicone plate used after septal surgery for support.
Recovery & careINTERMEDIATE↗ 2 related
EdemaEdema
Tissue swelling after surgery.
Recovery & careBASIC↗ 1 related
EcchymosisEcchymosis
Bruising caused by blood under the skin.
Recovery & careBASIC↗ 1 related
ScarScar
The mark left after wound healing.
Recovery & careBASIC↗ 1 related
CrustingCrusting
Crusts that form inside the nose during healing.
Recovery & careBASIC↗ 1 related
Nasal IrrigationNasal Irrigation
Rinsing the inside of the nose with isotonic saline.
Recovery & careBASIC↗ 1 related
Lymphatic DrainageLymphatic Drainage
A specialized massage technique to reduce swelling.
Recovery & careINTERMEDIATE↗ 1 related
Bruising PreventionBruising Prevention
Pre-op practices that reduce postoperative bruising.
Recovery & careBASIC↗ 2 related
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Possible complications
9 termsPolly Beak DeformityPolly Beak Deformity
Unexpected fullness in the supratip area — a “parrot beak” appearance.
ComplicationsADVANCED↗ 2 related
Saddle NoseSaddle Nose
Concave, sunken appearance of the dorsum.
ComplicationsADVANCED↗ 2 related
Open Roof DeformityOpen Roof Deformity
An unclosed “open roof” on the dorsum after hump removal.
ComplicationsADVANCED↗ 2 related
Septal PerforationSeptal Perforation
A hole through the septum connecting the two nasal cavities.
ComplicationsADVANCED↗ 1 related
HematomaHematoma
Collection of blood between tissue layers.
ComplicationsADVANCED↗ 2 related
SynechiaSynechia
Adhesions forming between mucosal surfaces inside the nose.
ComplicationsINTERMEDIATE↗ 1 related
Hypertrophic ScarHypertrophic Scar
A thickened, raised scar.
ComplicationsINTERMEDIATE↗ 1 related
AsymmetryAsymmetry
Visible difference between the two sides of the nose.
ComplicationsINTERMEDIATE↗ 1 related
Nasal ObstructionNasal Obstruction
A blocked nose — air cannot pass freely.
ComplicationsBASIC↗ 3 related
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Diagnosis & assessment
6 termsRhinoscopyRhinoscopy
Visual examination of the inside of the nose using a speculum.
Diagnosis & assessmentBASIC↗ 1 related
EndoscopyEndoscopy
Detailed visualization of the nose and nasopharynx using a small camera.
Diagnosis & assessmentINTERMEDIATE↗ 1 related
CT ScanCT Scan
Cross-sectional imaging of the nose and sinuses.
Diagnosis & assessmentINTERMEDIATE↗ 1 related
3D Simulation3D Simulation
Three-dimensional preview of possible surgical outcomes.
Diagnosis & assessmentBASIC
Cottle ManeuverCottle Maneuver
A simple test where the cheek is pulled outward to open the nasal valve and assess breathing.
Diagnosis & assessmentINTERMEDIATE↗ 1 related
NasopharyngoscopyNasopharyngoscopy
Endoscopic examination of the nasopharynx region.
Diagnosis & assessmentINTERMEDIATE↗ 2 related
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Related conditions
8 termsSeptal DeviationSeptal Deviation
A septum that bends to one side.
Related conditionsBASIC↗ 3 related
Turbinate HypertrophyTurbinate Hypertrophy
Enlargement of the turbinates narrowing the airway.
Related conditionsINTERMEDIATE↗ 2 related
Nasal Valve InsufficiencyNasal Valve Insufficiency
Obstruction caused by collapse of the nasal valve during breathing.
Related conditionsADVANCED↗ 2 related
SinusitisSinusitis
Infection or inflammation of the sinuses.
Related conditionsBASIC↗ 1 related
AdenoidAdenoid
Lymphoid tissue in the nasopharynx, prominent in childhood.
Related conditionsBASIC↗ 2 related
SnoringSnoring
Sound caused by partial obstruction of the upper airway during sleep.
Related conditionsBASIC↗ 2 related
Sleep ApneaSleep Apnea
Brief pauses in breathing during sleep.
Related conditionsINTERMEDIATE↗ 1 related
Allergic RhinitisAllergic Rhinitis
Reaction of the nasal mucosa to allergens — a “runny nose”.
Related conditionsBASIC↗ 1 related