The septum is the wall that separates the nostrils and divides the nasal cavity in half. It is made of bone and cartilage and is covered with mucous membrane. The septum contains blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatic tissue. The septum is lined with ciliated epithelium, which helps to cleanse the nasal cavity by sweeping away debris and mucus.
The septum can become crooked due to a number of reasons. Trauma to the nose can cause the septum to deviate from its midline position. This can occur during a car accident, a fall, or even after surgery on the nose. The structural support provided by the cartilage and bone of the septum can also be weakened by certain diseases such as syphilis or tuberculosis. In some cases, there may be no obvious reason why the septum is crooked. This condition is known as congenital deviation of the septum (CDS).
A Crooked Septum Can Lead To A Number Of Problems:
- Difficulty breathing through one or both nostrils
- Sleep apnea
- Mouth breathing
- Snoring
- Recurrent sinus infections