Dorsum of the Nose – Meaning and Usage in Medical English

The dorsum of the nose is a term that often appears in clinical notes or anatomy descriptions — but what exactly does it mean, and how do doctors use it in real communication?

Let’s break it down in simple, professional English.

---

👁 What Does “Dorsum of the Nose” Mean?

The dorsum of the nose refers to the bridge of the nose — the central ridge that extends from the root (between your eyes) down to the tip.

It’s the visible and structural part that shapes the nose’s contour.

The word dorsum comes from Latin, meaning “back.” So, “dorsum of the nose” literally means “the back surface of the nose.”

In daily English, people say “bridge of the nose,” but in medical or anatomical language, professionals use “dorsum of the nose.”

---

🔍 Clinical Usage

In clinical settings, the term is used to describe appearance, symmetry, and trauma findings.
For example, a doctor might write:

“The dorsum of the nose is deviated to the right after injury.”

This means the nasal bridge looks shifted — a common way to describe deformity or swelling after trauma.

Doctors often assess the dorsum of the nose for:

• Deviation (e.g., after fracture or septal injury)
• Swelling or bruising
• Obstruction or breathing changes

Understanding this term helps healthcare workers accurately describe findings during ENT, emergency, or plastic surgery consultations.

---

🎥 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)”

---

🌍 Study with OET Bank

Learning terms like dorsum of the nose not only improves your OET Listening and Reading skills, but also helps you sound more confident in clinical communication.

Explore professional OET and medical English courses at:
👉 https://oet-bank.com/shop/