Nasal septum
| Nasal septum | |
|---|---|
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| 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.
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[edit] 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
[edit] Clinical significance
The nasal septum can depart from the centre line of the nose in a condition is known as a deviated septum due to trauma. However, it is normal to have a slight deviation to one side. The septum generally stays in the midline until about the age of 7, at which point it will frequently deviate to the right.
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 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.
The nasal septum can be affected by both benign (fibroma, inflammatory hemangioma of the nasal septum - "bleeding polyp" etc.) and malign tumors (squamous cell carcinoma, esthesioneuroblastoma etc.)
[edit] Cosmetic procedures
The inferior part of the nasal septum can be pierced, usually through the soft tissue but the piercing can also transverse (partially) the cartilage of the septum.
[edit] Additional images
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Horizontal section of nasal and orbital cavities.
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Left orbicularis oculi, seen from behind.
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Cartilages of the nose, seen from below.
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Coronal section of nasal cavities.
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Front of nasal part of pharynx, as seen with the laryngoscope.
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MRI image showing nasal septum.
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MRI image showing deviated septum
[edit] See also
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[edit] References
- ^ a b lesson9 at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University)
- ^ 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.
[edit] 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)
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