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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staff
A deviated septum occurs when your nasal septum — the thin wall that separates your right and left nasal passages — is displaced to one side.
A deviated septum can be caused by:
- A condition present at birth. In some cases, a deviated septum occurs during fetal development and is apparent at birth.
- Injury to the nose. More commonly, a deviated septum is the result of an injury that causes the nasal septum to be knocked out of position. In infants, such an injury may occur during the birthing process. In children and adults, a wide array of accidents may lead to a nose injury and deviated septum — from tripping on a step to colliding with another person on the sidewalk. Trauma to the nose most commonly occurs during contact sports, active play or roughhousing, or automobile accidents.
References
- Chandra RK, et al. Diagnosis of nasal airway obstruction. The Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America. 2009;42:207.
- Fact sheet: Deviated septum. American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery. http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/deviatedSeptum.cfm. Accessed April 25, 2009.
- Fettman N, et al. Surgical management of the deviated septum: Techniques in septoplasty. The Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America. 2009;42:241.
- Nose surgery. American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery. http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/noseSurgery.cfm. Accessed April 26, 2009.
- Ferguson BJ. Septoplasty and turbinate reduction. American Rhinologic Society. http://www.american-rhinologic.org/patientinfo.septoplasty.phtml. Accessed April 25, 2009.
- Higuera S, et al. Nasal trauma and the deviated nose. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2007;120(suppl 2):64
- Nasal congestion and rhinorrhea. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec08/ch089/ch089c.html. Accessed April 26, 2009.
- Septal deviation and perforation. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec08/ch091/ch091f.html. Accessed April 26, 2009.
