[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Head and neck](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/head-and-neck/) › Nasal septum [Respiratory system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/respiratory-system/) · [Head and neck](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/head-and-neck/) # Nasal septum The nasal septum is the wall between the two sides of the nose, cartilage in front and bone behind; when bent (deviated) it can block one side. [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=head_neck&select=nasal_septum&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is The wall between the two sides of the nose, cartilage in front and bone (vomer, ethmoid) behind. ## What it does Divides the airflow; a bent septum can block one side. ## Key points - Kiesselbach (Little) area lies on the front of the cartilaginous septum within view of a speculum, which is why most nosebleeds can be seen and treated from the front - Septal haematoma after nasal trauma: a soft, bluish swelling on one or both sides; the cartilage depends on its perichondrium, so without drainage it can die or become infected (saddle nose) - Some septal deviation is very common and often silent; it matters when it blocks airflow, sinus drainage or surgical access - Perforation can follow trauma, surgery, repeated cautery, intranasal cocaine use or granulomatosis with polyangiitis ## Key facts **Where** Midline: septal cartilage in front, perpendicular plate of the ethmoid above and behind, vomer below and behind **Function** Divides the nasal cavity; Kiesselbach area at its front is the usual nosebleed site; deviation can block one side ## Relations **Above** [Nasal bones](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/nasal-bone/) and the [cribriform plate](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/cribriform-plate/); the perpendicular plate of the [ethmoid bone](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ethmoid-bone/) reaches up to the skull base **Below** Nasal crests of the [maxillae](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/maxilla/) and [palatine bones](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/palatine-bone/) on the nasal floor; the incisive canal in front **Lateral** Each [nasal cavity](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/nasal-cavity/), with the conchae facing it across the airway **Behind** Free border of the [vomer](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/vomer/) between the choanae; the sphenoid rostrum above **In front** Columella and the medial crura of the major alar cartilages ## How to find it Its lower front edge is seen and felt in the columella between the nostrils; the front of the septum is seen with a speculum and the rest with an endoscope. ## Examination - Inspection after nasal trauma: a boggy swelling of the septum that dents with a probe or cotton bud suggests a septal haematoma ## On imaging Diagnosis is mainly endoscopic; coronal CT shows bony deviation and spurs, usually when sinus surgery is planned. ## Common problems - Deviated septum: blocked breathing on one side, snoring. - Nosebleeds, most from the front of the septum. ## How it is diagnosed Looking inside the nose; endoscopy. ## Treatment - Nasal sprays. - Septoplasty to straighten it. - Pressure on the soft nose for 10-15 minutes, leaning forward, for nosebleeds. ## Clinical notes - Septoplasty corrects a deviated septum while keeping an L-shaped strut of cartilage along the dorsum and the front edge for support - Septal cartilage is the most used graft material in rhinoplasty - Loss of septal support after haematoma, abscess or perforation can make the nasal bridge collapse (saddle nose) ## Development Forms from the frontonasal process (merged medial nasal prominences) and grows down to fuse with the palatal shelves; the septal cartilage acts as a growth centre for the midface, so septal surgery in children is conservative. ## Related conditions - [Epistaxis (nosebleed)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/epistaxis/) - [Allergic rhinitis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/allergic-rhinitis/) - [Leishmaniasis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/leishmaniasis/) - [Hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (Osler–Weber–Rendu)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/hereditary-haemorrhagic-telangiectasia/) - [Nasal fracture and septal haematoma](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/nasal-fracture-and-septal-haematoma/) - [Granulomatosis with polyangiitis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/granulomatosis-with-polyangiitis/) ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## Why can most nosebleeds be seen and treated from the front of the nasal septum? Kiesselbach (Little) area lies on the front of the cartilaginous septum, within view of a speculum. ## Why must a septal haematoma be drained after nasal trauma? The septal cartilage depends on its perichondrium; without drainage it can die or become infected, leading to a saddle nose. ## Which bones and cartilage form the nasal septum? Septal cartilage in front, the perpendicular plate of the ethmoid above and behind, and the vomer below and behind. ## What does septoplasty keep to preserve nasal support? An L-shaped strut of septal cartilage along the dorsum and the front edge. ## What are causes of nasal septum perforation? Trauma, surgery, repeated cautery, intranasal cocaine use or granulomatosis with polyangiitis. [Add to my cards (5)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/nasal-septum/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** septum nasi TA2 3137 **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Tabique Nasal DeCS D009300 **English (TA2)** Nasal septum Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [DeCS](https://decs.bvsalud.org/es/ths/resource/?id=9495); [Anatomy, Head and Neck, Nasal Cavity](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK544232/); [Anatomy, Head and Neck, Nose](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532870/). ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/nasal-septum/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/nasal-septum/