[Postnatal growth of nasal septum]

Up to now little is known about the anatomy and histology and especially about the germinative zones of the growing nasal septum. We totally removed 18 septa of children between 0 and 10 years immediately after death. After photographical documentation these septa were studied histologically and microadiographically. It was found that at birth the connection between the cartilaginous septum and vomer only consists of a small and very loose layer of connective tissues. During the first year of life several ossification areas appear between vomer and cartilage in the dorsal part of the septum. An enchondral ossification zone at the rostrum sphenoidale was regularly seen in the neonatal septum, but disappears soon after birth. The development of the perpendicular plate starts from multiple ossification centersregularlytobefoundinthedorso-cranialpartoftheneonatalseptum. The perpendicular plate is the fastest growing part of the septum and even in the tenth year of life still shows an enchondral ossification zone around its border. The shape and the size ofthe septum changes most during the first six years; subsequently septal growth slows down markedly. As the enchondral ossification zone resembles an epiphysis cartilage, it is assumed thatlesions in this area may lead to growth disturbances of the inner and outer nose. It is therefore emphasized that, rgarding rhinoplasty in children, this ossification zone should be preserved by the surgeon.