An anatomical study of the arteries of the anterior nasal septum

OBJECTIVE: The anterior nasal septum is a clinically important area, yet anatomical descriptions of its arterial pattern are hitherto incomplete. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that the arteries of the anterior nasal septum form a fine random network of vessels. STUDY DESIGN: The arterial pattern of the nasal septum was traced by microdissection of 12 cadaveric septa (24 sides). SETTING: Each septum was microdissected with a Watson-Barnet dissecting microscope. Specimens were photographed and the vascular patterns were analyzed. RESULTS: The anterior septum has a consistent large arterial anastomotic triangle receiving major contributions from sphenopalatine, anterior ethmoidal, and superior labial arteries. CONCLUSION: Systematic microdissections clearly demonstrate that the arteries of the anterior septum do not form a random network. Instead, they form a consistent arterial anastomotic triangle consisting of large, thin vessels. SIGNIFICANCE: The study provides background material useful to the understanding of nasal physiology and pathology including epistaxis. (C) 2006 American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation, Inc. All rights reserved.