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.


METHODS
The arterial pattern of the nasal septum was traced by microdissection of 12 cadaveric septa (24 sides).


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
The study provides background material useful to the understanding of nasal physiology and pathology including epistaxis.
Chiu
Tor
T
Department of Surgery, Plastic Reconstructive Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Clinical Sciences Building, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong ROC. torchiu@clara.co.uk
Dunn
John Shaw
JS
D001158:Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D001837:Body Weights and Measures; D002102:Cadaver; D006801:Humans; D042282:Microdissection; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000098:blood supply*