Nasal septum

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

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 three structures:

• ethmoid bone
• vomer bone
• quadrangular cartilage

Clinical significance

The nasal septum can depart from the centreline of the nose; this condition is known as a deviated septum. Trauma, excessive nose-picking and cocaine usage can cause septum perforations, or holes developing in the septum.

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.

External links

• Template:EMedicineDictionary
• Template:SUNYAnatomyFigs - "Diagram of skeleton of medial (septal) nasal wall."
• Diagram at evmsent.org

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