OET Vocabulary, Word of the Day
Ala of Nose – Meaning and Usage in Medical English
Oct
👁 What Does “Ala of Nose” Mean?
In medical terminology, “Ala” comes from the Latin word for “wing.”
So the Ala of the Nose literally means the “wing of the nose.”
It refers to the flared, outer part of each nostril, forming the visible curve on either side.
You can feel it easily: it’s the soft area that moves slightly when you inhale deeply or flare your nostrils.
🔍 Clinical Usage
Clinically, the term nasal ala is used in ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) and dermatology settings.
Doctors often examine this area for redness, swelling, or skin lesions, since infections and inflammation can occur here.
You might see documentation like:
“Mild swelling noted over the right nasal ala.”
This simply means there’s a bit of puffiness or tenderness on that outer nostril area — possibly due to irritation, acne, or local infection.
🎥 Watch the Short Video
You can also learn the pronunciation and clinical context in our short video:
“Dorsum of the Nose: Meaning and Pronunciation (Medical English)”
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