Kiesselbach's area, also Kiesselbach's plexus, Kiesselbach's triangle, and Little's area, is a region in the anteroinferior part of the nasal septum

Nasal septum

The nasal septum separates the left and right airways in the nose, dividing the two nostrils.It is depressed by the Depressor septi nasi muscle.-Composition:The fleshy external end of the nasal septum is sometimes also called columella....

, where four arteries anastomose

Anastomosis

An anastomosis is the reconnection of two streams that previously branched out, such as blood vessels or leaf veins. The term is used in medicine, biology, mycology and geology....

 to form a vascular plexus called Kiesselbach's plexus. The arteries are

• Anterior ethmoidal artery
  Anterior ethmoidal artery
  The anterior ethmoidal artery, also anterior ethmoid artery is an artery of the head.-Course:Once branching from the ophthalmic artery, it accompanies the nasociliary nerve through the anterior ethmoidal canal to supply the anterior and middle ethmoidal cells, frontal sinus, and anterosuperior...
  
   (from the ophthalmic artery
  Ophthalmic artery
  The ophthalmic artery is the first branch of the internal carotid artery distal to the cavernous sinus. Branches of the OA supply all the structures in the orbit as well as some structures in the nose, face and meninges...
  
  )
• Sphenopalatine artery
  Sphenopalatine artery
  The sphenopalatine artery is an artery of the head, commonly known as the artery of epistaxis.-Course:The sphenopalatine artery is a branch of the maxillary artery which passes through the sphenopalatine foramen into the cavity of the nose, at the back part of the superior meatus...
  
   (from the maxillary artery)
• Greater palatine artery
  Greater palatine artery
  The greater palatine artery is a terminal branch of the maxillary artery supplying blood to the hard palate and nasal septum.-Course:The descending palatine artery branches off of the maxillary artery in the pterygopalatine fossa and descends through the greater palatine canal along with the...
  
   (from the maxillary artery)
• Septal branch of the superior labial artery
  Superior labial artery
  The superior labial artery is larger and more egregious than the inferior labial artery.It follows a similar course along the edge of the upper lip, lying between the mucous membrane and the Orbicularis oris, and anastomoses with the artery of the opposite side.It supplies the upper lip, and gives...
  
   (from the facial artery
  Facial artery
  The facial artery is a branch of the external carotid artery that supplies structures of the superficial face.-Structure:...
  
  )

Significance

Ninety percent of nose bleeds (epistaxis) occur in Little's area, as it is exposed to the drying effect of inspiratory current.

History

Kiesselbach's plexus is named after Wilhelm Kiesselbach

Wilhelm Kiesselbach

Wilhelm Kiesselbach was a German otolaryngologist who was a native of Hanau. He was director of otolaryngology at the university clinic in Erlangen from 1889 to 1902....

 (1839-1902) a German

Germans

The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....

 otolaryngologist.

External links

• Epistaxis - utmb.edu
• Nose Anatomy - emedicine.com
• Nasal Anatomy - fpnotebook.com