The cartilage that passes through the midline of the nose is called the septum. There may be a curvature of the septum from birth, during puberty, or due to trauma.
The curvature of the septum impairs the breathing function of the nose. This is called septum deviation.
Mid cartilage is usually curved to one side in septum deviation. Nasal congestion occurs on the side where it is bent. Enlargement on the opposite side causes swelling of the nasal concha, that is, the turbinate. This disrupts the breathing dynamic.
Deviation of the septum is usually seen together with the curvature of the nose.
During curved rhinoplasty, septum deviation should be corrected.
