hammer nose
Noun: A specific medical condition characterized by a bulbous, reddened, and enlarged nose, often with visibly dilated blood vessels and enlarged pores. This condition is frequently, though not exclusively, associated with chronic, excessive alcohol consumption.
The term "hammer nose" is a descriptive, informal medical term. It is used to describe the physical appearance of the nose resulting from the condition rhinophyma, which is a severe form of rosacea. * The doctor noted the patient's hammer nose as a potential sign of advanced rosacea. * Chronic alcoholism can sometimes lead to the development of a hammer nose.
- The term is often used in clinical descriptions or historical texts. In modern medical practice, the more precise term "rhinophyma" is preferred.
- It is important to note that while associated with alcohol abuse, a "hammer nose" (rhinophyma) is a dermatological condition and not a definitive diagnostic indicator of alcoholism.
- Rhinophyma (n): The formal medical term for the condition described as "hammer nose."
- Rosacea (n): A chronic skin condition that can progress to rhinophyma.
- Bulbous nose (n): A general descriptive term for a nose with a rounded, enlarged tip, which may or may not be due to rhinophyma.
- Rhinophyma (formal synonym)
- Bulbous nose (descriptive synonym, less specific)
- Drinker's nose (colloquial synonym with stronger association to alcohol)
The primary meaning refers to the physical symptom (the enlarged, red nose). Its strong cultural association with alcoholism is a secondary, connotative meaning. The condition itself is a subtype of rosacea.
- enlargement of the nose with dilation of follicles and redness and prominent vascularity of the skin; often associated with excessive consumption of alcohol