The medical term for nose bleed is epistaxis, which simply means bleeding from the lining of the nose. Doctors use the same word whether the bleed is a few drops after blowing the nose or a heavy bleed that needs an emergency visit.
Epistaxis is said ep-ih-STAK-sis, and it comes from Greek roots for dripping. Notes usually add whether the bleed is anterior, from the front of the nose, or posterior, from farther back, and which side, since that shapes how it is treated. Below are the parts of the term, sample chart lines and the related words that turn up in nose and throat notes.
At a glance
Medical term
EpistaxisPlural or forms
Epistaxes (rarely used)Word roots
Greek epi upon plus a root meaning to dripMain types
Anterior (common) and posterior (less common, often heavier)Specialty
ENT, emergency medicineUsed in
Emergency notes, ENT notes, medication side effect lists
Anterior versus posterior: the medical term for nose bleed in detail
Most nosebleeds are anterior. They start from a cluster of tiny blood vessels on the front part of the septum, the thin partition between the nostrils. These vessels sit close to the surface, so dry air, nose picking, colds, allergies and forceful blowing can break them. Anterior bleeds usually come from one side and often stop with steady pressure.
Posterior epistaxis comes from larger vessels deep in the nose. It is less common, tends to be heavier, may drain toward the throat, and happens more often in older adults. These bleeds can be harder to control and may need an ENT specialist.
| Feature | Anterior | Posterior |
|---|---|---|
| How often | Most nosebleeds | A small share |
| Source | Small vessels at the front of the septum | Larger vessels toward the back |
| Usual handling | Pressure, sometimes cautery or packing | Often specialist care, packing or a procedure |
Epistaxis in real chart language
Urgent care note: "Anterior epistaxis L naris x 20 min, controlled with direct pressure. On warfarin, INR pending." This means a front nosebleed from the left nostril lasting about 20 minutes, stopped by pinching the nose. Because the person takes a blood thinner, a clotting test called the INR was ordered.
Other words you may see include naris, the medical term for nostril (plural nares); cautery, sealing the bleeding vessel with a chemical stick or heat; and nasal packing, material placed inside the nose to press on the bleeding point. Recurrent epistaxis means repeated episodes.
Common causes listed in notes
Clinicians look at local and body wide causes. Local causes include dry indoor air, minor injury, colds and sinus infections, allergies, nasal sprays used often, and a deviated septum. Body wide causes include blood thinners such as warfarin, aspirin and newer oral anticoagulants (DOACs), bleeding or platelet disorders, and liver disease.
High blood pressure is often mentioned with nosebleeds. Raised pressure may make an existing bleed harder to stop, but the link between HTN and starting a nosebleed is less clear. A CBC may be checked after a heavy or repeated bleed to look at blood counts.
When a nosebleed needs urgent care
General first aid guidance is to sit up, lean slightly forward and pinch the soft part of the nose firmly for at least 10 minutes without letting go to check. Seek emergency care if bleeding is heavy or does not stop after about 20 minutes of steady pressure, follows a head or face injury, causes trouble breathing, or happens in someone who feels faint or takes blood thinners and keeps bleeding.
Frequent nosebleeds, even mild ones, are worth mentioning to a clinician, who may look inside the nose and review medicines.
Frequently asked questions
What do doctors call a nosebleed?
Doctors call it epistaxis. The word covers bleeding from anywhere inside the nose.
How do you pronounce epistaxis?
Say ep-ih-STAK-sis, with the stress on the third syllable.
What is the difference between anterior and posterior epistaxis?
Anterior epistaxis starts at the front of the nose and is the common, usually milder kind. Posterior epistaxis comes from deeper vessels, is less common and is often heavier.
What is the medical term for nostril?
The medical term for a nostril is naris, and the plural is nares. A note might say bleeding from the left naris.
Can high blood pressure cause nosebleeds?
Raised blood pressure can make a nosebleed harder to stop, but whether it starts nosebleeds is debated. Dry air and minor irritation are much more common triggers.