An anatomical, histological and magnetic resonance imaging study of the nasal septum.

Considerable variations are present in the thickness of the normal nasal septum. These were studied and measured in cadavers and from MRI scans. In addition, a histological analysis was performed to determine whether cavernous tissue is present at any point in the septum. The nasal septum reaches maximum thickness antero-superiorly where the mucosa may be as thick a 5.0 mm (average 3.5 mm) and the minimum thickness lies inferiorly where the mucosa is often thinner than 0.5 mm. The area of maximum septal thickness lies at the region of the nasal valve and its contribution towards nasal airway resistance must be significant. No cavernous tissue was identified in the nasal septum.