Normal Endoscopic Anatomy

Abstract

A thorough knowledge of a normal endoscopic anatomy is essential for lacrimal interventions. It not only helps the surgeon identify any deviations from the normal and pathologies but prepares the ground for transnasal surgical interventions. The nares or nostrils are the two openings into the nasal cavity [1]. The nasal septum divides the nasal cavity into two sides. The nasal septum comprises cartilage anteriorly (quadrilateral/septal cartilage) and bone posteriorly (vertical plate of the ethmoid bone posterosuperiorly and vomer bone posteroinferiorly). The lateral wall of the nose is a complex structure [1–5]. There are three or four paired nasal turbinates with a corresponding meatus under each turbinate. The middle turbinate is the most prominent landmark and is a part of ethmoid bone and is attached to the lateral wall by its axilla. Lacrimal sac usually lies anterior to the axilla of the middle turbinate. The inferior turbinate is the largest turbinate and occupies the lower third of the lateral nasal wall. It arises from the medial wall of the maxillary sinus. Its anterior tip is located 1.5–2.0 cm inside the nasal space in adults, and the nasolacrimal duct empties into the inferior meatus [1–5].