Nasal septum

Nasal septum
Bones and cartilages of septum of nose. Right side.
Latin	septum nasi
Gray's	subject #223 993
Artery	anterior ethmoidal posterior ethmoidal sphenopalatine greater palatine branch of superior labial[1]
Nerve	anterior ethmoidal nasopalatine[1]
MeSH	Nasal+septum

The nasal septum separates the left and right airways in the nose, dividing the two nostrils.

It is depressed by the Depressor septi nasi muscle.

Composition

The fleshy external end of the nasal septum is sometimes also called columella.

The nasal septum is composed of five structures:

• perpendicular plate of ethmoid bone
• vomer bone
• cartilage of the septum
• crest of the maxillary bone
• crest of the palatine bone

Clinical significance

The nasal septum can depart from the centreline of the nose; this condition is known as a deviated septum. A perforated nasal septum can be caused by an ulcer, trauma due to an inserted object, excessive nose-picking, long-term exposure to welding fumes,^[2] or cocaine abuse. There is a new procedure that can be of help to those suffering from perforated septum. A silicone button can be inserted in the hole to close the open sore.

An operation to the nasal septum is known as a septoplasty.

Additional images

Horizontal section of nasal and orbital cavities.	Left orbicularis oculi, seen from behind.	Cartilages of the nose, seen from below.	Coronal section of nasal cavities.
Front of nasal part of pharynx, as seen with the laryngoscope.	MRI image showing nasal septum.	MRI image showing deviated septum

References

1. ^ ^{a b} lesson9 at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University)
2. ^ Nasal Septum Perforation of Welders, Choong Ryeol Lee, Cheol In Yoo, Ji Ho Lee, Seong Kyu Kang. Journal of Industrial Health. Volume 40, Number 3. p 286-289. Last accessed April 2, 2009.

External links

• Nasal+septum at eMedicine Dictionary
• SUNY Figs 33:02-01 - "Diagram of skeleton of medial (septal) nasal wall."
• Diagram at evmsent.org
• lesson9 at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University) (nasalseptumbonescarti)

See also

• Nasal septum piercing

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