Glossary
- Acoustic rhinometry - Using sound waves to measure the size of the nasal airway.
- ADSCs - Adipose-Derived Stem Cells, stem cells taken from fat tissue that can help repair and regenerate damaged tissue
- Air-jet stimulation test - Method used to measure nasal sensitivity to airflow.
- Autologous fat grafting - Transplanting fat from one part of a patient’s body to another (e.g., abdomen -> nose).
- Biomarkers - Biological indicators of disease
- Biopsy - Sample of tissue taken for examination
- Cochrane - Database of high-quality systematic reviews and clinical evidence
- Control group - Comparison group without the condition being studied
- Cool thermoreceptors - See TRPM8 receptors
- Cotton test - Placement of a dry cotton plug in the lower nasal cavity to increase airflow resistance.
- Cytokines - Signaling molecules released by cells that regulate inflammation and immune responses
- Electrocauterization - Surgical technique to cut tissue using electric current
- Embase - Biomedical and pharmacological database with strong coverage of drug and clinical research
- Endoscopic examination - Detailed inspection of the nasal cavity using a camera
- ENS - Empty Nose Syndrome
- ENS subtypes - ENS is categorized into four subtypes: ENS-IT (Inferior Turbinate), ENS-MT (Middle Turbinate), ENS-both (both Inferior and Middle Turbinates), and ENS-type (Mucosa Damage)
- ENS6Q - Six-question survey used to help diagnose ENS
- Google Scholar - Broad academic search engine covering articles, theses, books, and conference papers
- Histopathological examination - Study of tissue changes under a microscope
- Inflammation - Body's response to injury or infection
- Mesenchymal Stem Cells - Type of stem cell (found in SVF and ADSCs) that can develop into various tissue types and help reduce inflammation
- MUC4 - A protein involved in mucus production and protection of the nasal lining
- Mucociliary clearance - The process by which mucus and trapped particles are moved out of the nose by tiny hair-like structures (cilia)
- Mucosa - The lining of the nasal cavity responsible for moisture, protection, and sensory function
- Paradoxical nasal obstruction - Feeling of nasal congestion despite no physical obstruction
- Pilot study - Small preliminary study conducted before larger research
- PubMed - Biomedical database by the U.S. National Library of Medicine for accessing medical research articles
- Randomized controlled study - Study where participants are randomly assigned to different treatment groups to compare outcomes.
- ROBINS-I - Tool used to assess risk of bias in non-randomized studies of interventions
- RT-PCR - Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction, a lab technique used to measure gene expression
- Saccharin test / saccharin clearance time - A subjective test measuring how well the nose clears particles (mucociliary function) by timing how long it takes to taste sweetness
- ScienceDirect - Database providing access to scientific and medical research publications
- Scopus - Large abstract and citation database for peer-reviewed literature across many disciplines
- SNOT - Sinonasal Outcome Test, a broad symptom questionnaire for nasal conditions.
- Squamous metaplasia - Transformation of normal nasal lining into a tougher, less functional cell type
- Statistical significance - Indicates whether a result is likely not due to chance
- Stem Cells - Cells that can differentiate into other cell types
- Subjective improvement - Improvement reported by the patient based on personal perception
- Submucosa - The layer beneath the mucosa containing glands and connective tissue.
- Submucosal fibrosis - Thickening/scarring beneath the mucosal surface
- SVF - Stromal Vascular Fraction, a mixture of cells extracted from fat tissue that includes stem cells and other regenerative cells with anti-inflammatory properties
- Trigeminal nerve - The nerve responsible for facial sensation, including airflow perception in the nose
- TRPM8 receptors - Cold-sensitive receptors that help the brain detect airflow through cooling sensation
- Turbinectomy - Partial or complete resection of the inferior turbinate
- Turbinoplasty - Surgical procedure to reduce the size of the nasal turbinates