Reference
Breathing & sleep glossary.
A plain-language reference for the anatomy, sleep science and breathing terms used across RhinoGear.
- Nasal valve
- The narrowest section of the nasal airway, where soft cartilage meets the bony bridge. Accounts for most nasal airflow resistance.
- External nasal valve
- The outer portion of the nasal valve, formed by the soft side cartilage of the nose. Targeted by external nasal strips.
- Internal nasal valve
- The deeper portion of the nasal valve, formed where the upper lateral cartilage meets the septum. Targeted by internal dilators like Mute.
- Septum
- The vertical wall of cartilage and bone that divides the two nasal passages.
- Deviated septum
- A condition where the nasal septum is bent off-centre, narrowing one or both nostrils. Mild deviation is common; severe deviation may need surgery.
- Turbinates
- Three pairs of bony shelves inside the nasal cavity covered in soft tissue. They warm and humidify air and can swell during allergies or colds.
- Nasal dilator
- Any device that physically widens the nasal airway. External dilators (strips) lift from outside; internal dilators sit inside the nostrils.
- Spring band
- The flexible plastic or polyester rib inside a nasal strip that creates the lifting tension.
- Hypoallergenic adhesive
- An adhesive formulated to minimise the risk of allergic skin reaction. RhinoGear uses a medical-grade acrylic adhesive.
- Latex-free
- Contains no natural rubber latex — important for users with latex allergies.
- Mouth taping
- Applying a small piece of skin-safe tape across the lips at night to encourage nasal breathing during sleep.
- Centre-strip mouth tape
- A mouth tape design that runs vertically down the centre of the lips, leaving the corners free so the lips can still part.
- Mouth breathing
- Breathing primarily through the mouth at rest. Associated with dry mouth, snoring and worse sleep quality.
- Nose breathing
- Breathing primarily through the nose. Filters, warms and humidifies air and is associated with calmer breathing.
- Nasal cycle
- The natural alternating dominance of one nostril over the other every few hours.
- Nitric oxide (nasal NO)
- A gas produced in the sinuses during nose breathing. Helps blood vessels relax and improves oxygen uptake.
- REM sleep
- Rapid Eye Movement sleep — the dreaming phase, important for memory consolidation. Mouth breathing fragments REM.
- Slow-wave sleep
- Deep, restorative non-REM sleep. Quieter, more consistent breathing supports more time in this stage.
- AHI (Apnoea-Hypopnoea Index)
- The number of breathing pauses per hour during sleep. The standard metric for diagnosing sleep apnoea severity.
- Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA)
- A sleep disorder where the airway repeatedly collapses at the throat during sleep. Treated with CPAP, not nasal strips.
- CPAP
- Continuous Positive Airway Pressure — the gold-standard treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea. Delivers pressurised air via a mask.
- Snoring
- Noisy breathing during sleep caused by vibration of soft tissues. Can originate in the nose, soft palate or throat.
- Allergic rhinitis
- Inflammation of the nasal lining caused by allergens like pollen or dust mites. Common cause of nasal congestion.
- Decongestant
- A medication that shrinks swollen nasal tissue. Can cause rebound congestion if used for more than a few days.
- Saline rinse
- Salt-water rinse used to clear mucus and humidify the nasal passages. Drug-free and safe for daily use.
- TGA
- Therapeutic Goods Administration — the Australian regulator for therapeutic products. RhinoGear is included in the ARTG (#508285).
- ARTG
- Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods — the official list of products approved for sale in Australia.
- Buteyko breathing
- A breathing method emphasising slow, light nasal breathing. Often paired with nasal strips and mouth tape.
- Diaphragmatic breathing
- Slow, full breaths driven by the diaphragm rather than the chest. Calms the nervous system.
- Snore score
- An informal metric some sleep apps use to estimate snoring intensity overnight.