The nasal septum is composed of cartilaginous and bony components (Figure 17.1). It is covered with mucoperichondrium and mucoperiosteum, from which it derives its blood supply. It divides the nasal cavity into two. The septum provides some of the support of external nose and contributes to nasal shape.

Septal Deviation

The septum is often slightly deviated to one side or other. This usually causes no trouble but a more severely angulated or dislocated nasal septum will cause one or both nasal passages to partly obstruct (Figure 17.2). The patient complains of a blocked nose and drainage of the sinuses can be affected. They may also complain about the shape of the nose and of reduced sense of smell (hyposmia), or no smell (anosmia). In many cases no treatment is needed; more severe cases may warrant surgical correction – a septoplasty.

Septal Perforation

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