Anatomic Variations of the Arteries of the Nasal Fossa

Objective: This study was performed for knowledge about the vascular supply of the nasal fossa and a description of the site of division and number of branches of the sphenopalatine artery. Study Design: This study was performed on 10 fresh nonembalmed cadavers. Anatomic variations of nasal fossa arteries were studied. Methods: First, 10 cephalic anatomic preparations were injected with red color latex into the right and left carotid arteries. Then, these specimens were sagittally cut to dissect the sphenopalatine artery. Twenty vascularization cases were studied for the external branch of the sphenopalatine artery, and 10 cases were studied for the internal branch. Results: The principal observations were: 1, the sphenopalatine artery division is 18 times in the infratemporal fossa and twice in the nasal fossa; 2, the nasopalatine artery supplies blood to the lower part of the septum and its anterosuperior area; and 3, the vascularization of the external wall is via the sphenopalatine artery through the arteries of the meatus and conchae. Conclusion: This study defines the vascular territories of the nasal fossa arteries and includes photographs of dissections. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2003;128:236-9.)