178. What is the term used to describe the stationary vanes preceding the first stage of an axial compressor?

Inlet guide vanes are correctly identified as the stationary vanes preceding the first stage of an axial compressor. This terminology distinguishes them from stator vanes located between rotor stages or first stage stator vanes positioned after the first rotor. The term inlet guide vanes is the standard designation in engineering texts, regardless of whether the vanes are variable or fixed.