--- title: "Anatomy of Nasal Septum" description: "Notes on the Anatomy of Nasal septum - parts, blood supply, and clinical relevance - for medical students and ENT residents." source: "The ENT Resident" author: "Dr. Mausumi Das" canonical_url: "https://www.theentresident.com/ent-notes-lectures/nasal-septum-anatomy" categories: ["Rhinology"] video: "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2Szbw8ji4g" image: "https://media.theentresident.com/og-images/nasal-septum-anatomy.png" --- # Anatomy of Nasal Septum Notes on the Anatomy of Nasal septum - parts, blood supply, and clinical relevance - for medical students and ENT residents. Watch the full video lecture on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2Szbw8ji4g ## Anatomy of the Nasal Septum In this post, we'll be exploring the **nasal septum** — its structure, parts, blood supply, and clinical relevance. ### ðŸ§Đ Parts of the Nasal Septum The nasal septum is divided into **three parts**: 1. **Collumellar Septum** - Formed by the **medial crura** of the alar cartilages. - United by fibrous tissue and covered by skin. - Forms the **columella** seen externally. 2. **Membranous Septum** - Lies between the **columella** and the **caudal border of the septal cartilage**. - Double layer of skin with **no bony or cartilaginous support**. - Both columellar and membranous septa are **freely mobile**. 3. **Septum Proper** - **Osteocartilaginous framework** covered with mucosa. - Consists of a **bony part** and a **cartilaginous part**. #### ðŸĶī **Bony Part of the Septum Proper** **Major Bones:** - **Perpendicular plate of the ethmoid** - Forms **upper 1/3rd** of the septum. - Articulates with: - Superiorly: Cribriform plate - Posteriorly: Sphenoid crest - Posteroinferiorly: Vomer - Anteroinferiorly: Septal cartilage - **Vomer** - Forms the **posteroinferior** part of the septum. - Articulates via **alae** with the **sphenoid rostrum**, forming the **vomerovaginal canals** (transmit pharyngeal branches of maxillary artery). - Inferior border articulates with the **nasal crest** (formed by maxilla and palatine bones). - Posterior free edge contributes to the **posterior nasal septum**. **Minor Contributions:** - Crest of nasal bone - Nasal spine of frontal bone - Rostrum of sphenoid - Crests of palatine and maxillary bones - Anterior nasal spine of maxilla #### 🧊 **Cartilaginous Part of the Septum** - **Septal (Quadrilateral) Cartilage** - Main cartilage of the septum. - Firmly bound by collagen to surrounding bones. - **Continuous with**: - Upper lateral cartilages at the dorsum - **Sphenoidal process (septal tail)**: projects posteriorly between vomer and perpendicular plate of ethmoid. - Inferiorly rests on **nasal crest** with **pseudoarthrosis** (loose connective tissue attachment). >What is the surgical importance of Septal Cartilage? >What is Nasal Septal Swell Body? --- ### ðŸĐļ Arterial Supply of the Nasal Septum **From Internal Carotid:** - **Anterior Ethmoidal Artery** – Anterosuperior septum - **Posterior Ethmoidal Artery** – Posterosuperior septum **From External Carotid:** - **Sphenopalatine Artery** (via Posterior Septal Branch) – Posteroinferior septum - **Greater Palatine Artery** – Anteroinferior septum (via incisive canal) - **Superior Labial Artery** (Facial artery) – Caudal septum and columella >What is Little's Area (Kiesselbach's Plexus)? What are the arteries forming it? What is it's clinical importance? --- ### ðŸĐļ Venous Drainage of Nasal Septum - **Posterior drainage**: via sphenopalatine vein to pterygoid venous plexus - **Anterior drainage**: via facial vein - **Superior drainage**: via ethmoidal veins to superior ophthalmic vein - **Intracranial connections**: via foramen cecum to superior sagittal sinus **🔍 Retrocolumellar Vein:** - Runs vertically behind columella. - Drains into lateral nasal wall venous plexus. >What is the **most common cause** of bleeding in adults? --- ### 📝 Summary Table | Component | Details | | --- | --- | | Parts | Collumellar, Membranous, Septum Proper | | Bony Elements | Ethmoid (perpendicular plate), Vomer, others | | Cartilage | Septal (quadrilateral), continuous with upper lateral cartilage | | Arterial Supply | ICA (ethmoidal), ECA (sphenopalatine, greater palatine, superior labial) | | Venous Drainage | Facial vein, sphenopalatine vein, ophthalmic vein | --- ## About This Note This free ENT note on Anatomy of Nasal Septum was written by Dr. Mausumi Das and is paired with a corresponding video lecture. 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