atrophic rhinitis [Gk, a + trophe, without nourishment, rhis, nose, itis, inflammation] , a nasal condition, a form of chronic rhinitis, in which there is inflammation and atrophy of the mucous membrane of the nose, resulting in failure of the ciliary function and drying and crusting of the lining of the nasal passages. This may reduce the sense of smell. It commonly occurs as a result of viral infection such as the common cold but can also be caused by allergies.
