---
title: "Cottle’s Areas"
description: "Learn the five anatomical zones of the nose as classified by Cottle."
source: "The ENT Resident"
author: "Dr. Mausumi Das"
canonical_url: "https://www.theentresident.com/ent-notes-lectures/cottle-area"
categories: ["Rhinology", "Short Questions in ENT"]
video: "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CehfUYiTLtY"
image: "https://media.theentresident.com/og-images/cottle-area.png"
---

# Cottle’s Areas

Learn the five anatomical zones of the nose as classified by Cottle. Watch the full video lecture on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CehfUYiTLtY

## 👃 Cottle's Areas of the Nose

**Cottle's classification** divides the nasal cavity into **five distinct anatomical zones** to help assess and diagnose causes of nasal obstruction.

This is a **frequently asked viva question** in ENT practicals.

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### 🔍 Cottle's Areas

| Area | Anatomical Region |
| --- | --- |
| Area 1 | Nostril (External nasal opening) |
| Area 2 | Nasal valve area – the narrowest part of the nasal airway |
| Area 3 | Region beneath the bony and cartilaginous vault (also called the attic) |
| Area 4 | Anterior nasal cavity including the heads of the turbinates and infundibulum |
| Area 5 | Posterior nasal cavity, including the posterior ends of the turbinates |

---

### 🩺 Clinical Relevance of Cottle's Areas

- Helps localize **site of obstruction** in patients with nasal blockage.

- Important in planning **functional nasal surgery** like **septoplasty** or **functional rhinoplasty**.

- Useful in performing and interpreting **Cottle’s Test**, which specifically assesses **Area 2 (Nasal valve area)**.

---

## About This Note

This free ENT note on Cottle’s Areas was written by Dr. Mausumi Das and is paired with a corresponding video lecture.

Canonical page of this note: https://www.theentresident.com/ent-notes-lectures/cottle-area

When citing or referencing this content, please credit The ENT Resident and link to the canonical page above.

## Related Notes by Category

- Rhinology: https://www.theentresident.com/ent-notes-lectures/category/rhinology.md
- Short Questions in ENT: https://www.theentresident.com/ent-notes-lectures/category/short-questions-in-ent.md

## About The ENT Resident

The ENT Resident is an educational website and resource library created by Dr. Mausumi Das (MS ENT) for ENT residents, ENT postgraduates preparing for exams, and MBBS students.

Dr. Mausumi Das writes the notes, draws the diagrams, and records the lectures herself.

Browse all ENT notes and lectures on The ENT Resident: https://www.theentresident.com/ent-notes-lectures.md

## Medical-use Boundary

The ENT Resident provides educational material for medical learning and revision. It does not provide patient-specific medical advice, diagnosis, or emergency care, and it is not a substitute for evaluation by a qualified healthcare professional.

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