Cottle’s Line

🦴 Cottle's Line

Cottle’s line is a vertical imaginary line drawn from the nasal process of the frontal bone and extends down to the anterior nasal spine of the maxilla.

🧠 Clinical Importance of Cottle's Line

In earlier surgical practice, Cottle’s line was used to divide the nasal septum into two regions:

• Anterior to Cottle's line:

  Deviations in this area were typically managed by Septoplasty alone.

• Posterior to Cottle's line:

  Deviations could be corrected by either:

  • Submucous Resection (SMR)
  • Septoplasty

📝 Note: While its usage is more historical, understanding Cottle's line is still important for conceptual clarity in ENT anatomy and surgical planning.

💡 Tip for Exams:
Questions on Cottle’s test and Cottle’s line are often confused. Remember, the test is functional (assesses nasal valve), while Cottle’s line is anatomical.