This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Blood supply to the nose and sinuses

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

  • the nose and sinuses are supplied by the
    • ethmoid branches of the internal carotid artery
    • facial and internal maxillary branches of the external carotid artery.
  • the superior part of the nose receives the anterior and posterior ethmoidal arteries - branches of the ophthalmic artery which itself, is a branch of the internal carotid.
  • the rest of the nose and sinuses is supplied by the greater palatine, sphenopalatine, and superior labial arteries, all of which are branches of the maxillary artery which itself, is a branch of the external carotid.
  • significantly there is a plexus of vessels on the anterior septum - Little's area or Kiesselbach's plexus - where branches of both the internal and external carotid artery anastamose; this is a frequent site for epistaxis.
  • venous drainage of the nose and sinuses is via the ophthalmic and facial veins, and the pterygoid and pharyngeal plexuses. Significantly, drainage is such that infection may spread via the veins to the cavernous sinus.

Reference:


Create an account to add page annotations

Add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation, such as a web address or phone number. This information will always be displayed when you visit this page

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.