General Medical Information

Vascularization of Nasal Mucosa

Richard L. Mabry

The arterial blood supply to the nasal passage originates from maxillary and facial branches of the external carotid artery and from the ophthalmic branch of the internal carotid artery. The ophthalmic branch gives rise to the ethmoid arteries. The anterior facial vein, the sphenopalatine vein, and the ethmoid vein supply venous drainage of the nose. The sphenopalatine and ethmoid veins drain into the cavernous sinus.

Nasal mucosa contains a complex array of arteries, arteriovenous anastomoses, and unique muscular veins and venous sinusoids. The muscular veins and sinusoids can become engorged or constricted according to the extent of vasodilation or vasoconstriction in the veins and arteriovenous anastomoses. Vasoconstriction reduces the volume and retention of arterial blood in the nasal blood vessels and increases the patency of the nasal passage. Vasodilation increases the volume and amount of blood retention in the nasal blood vessels, decreases nasal patency, and increases nasal airflow resistance. Dilatation and subsequent engorgement of the capillary or venous sinusoid systems can cause nasal congestion.