The distribution of stress in the nasal septum in trauma: an experimental model

The nose is a three-walled pyramid separated into two nostrils by a midline septum. The septum has been shown to provide considerable support to the shape of the nose. Previously nasal trauma was thought to damage solely the anterior cartilaginous septum with sparing of the posterior bony septum. Cadaver nasal fracture experiments have shown that the bony septum is often involved (Murray, 1984). This may be the reason that reduction of the fractured nasal bones by simple reposition, has been found to give a poor cosmetic and functional end result. Also seen were clinical and radiological confirmation of bony septal fractures associated with nasal bone fractures (Murray, 1984). In this experiment, the use of perspex models and bipolarised light demonstrates the lines of force passing through the bony septum which accounts for its involvement.