Fig 4. Arteries of the Nasal Cavity
The nasal mucosa is endowed with a rich blood supply derived from both the external and internal carotid arteries:
External carotid |
|
maxillary -> sphenopalatine (turbinates and lateral nasal wall) |
|
facial -> superior labial (anterior nasal floor) |
Internal carotid -> ophthalmic |
|
anterior ethmoid (posterior ethmoid sinus) |
|
posterior ethmoid (anterior ethmoidal air cells, frontal sinus & dura) |
The site of 90% of epistaxis is at Keisselbach’s plexus (Little’s area), located along the septum where branches of the sphenopalatine, anterior ethmoidal, and superior labial arteries anastomose. Posterior epistaxis most frequently occurs at the entry zone of the sphenopalatine artery behind the middle turbinate.
