What medical term describes a nosebleed?

Epistaxis is the medical term specifically used to describe a nosebleed. It refers to the bleeding from the nasal cavity, which can occur due to various reasons, including trauma, dry air, allergies, or underlying medical conditions. Understanding this term is essential for healthcare professionals, as recognizing it promptly can aid in effective diagnosis and treatment of patients presenting with this condition.

Other terms listed refer to different medical conditions: hemorrhage is a broad term for bleeding; erythema describes redness of the skin due to increased blood flow; and hemoptysis refers to coughing up blood from the respiratory tract. These definitions highlight why epistaxis is uniquely suited to describe a nosebleed, distinguishing it from other types of bleeding or symptoms.