The septum is a wall which divides the nasal passages and sinus cavities in two. This wall is made mainly of bone, while the front portion is made of cartilage. The septum together with the nasal passages and sinus cavities are lined with mucus membranes.

A deviated septum/septal deviation occurs when this cartilage is either damaged or crooked.

There are two main causes for a deviated septum:

1. Nasal trauma, when the septum is injured. This can occur during:
   1. Contact sports such as boxing, skate/snow boarding, riding a bicycle, ect…
   2. Household accidents such as falling, bumping into things (clumsy), fistfights, ect…
      
      
2. Unusual nasoseptal growth patterns also known as cartilaginous growth abnormalities, are birth defects caused by the nasal septum developing in a small space, and can cause one to have a deviated septum.

Yes, complications include:

• Sinusitis, which can be caused when a deviated septum blocks a sinus opening. This makes stagnant mucus a perfect place for bacteria to thrive in causing a sinus infection.
• Congestion is caused when a deviated septum blocks the sinus opening. Mucus then builds up in the sinus cavities causing it to block.
• Nose bleeds. There are many tiny blood vessels in the septum that can damage easily. Injuries can cause the tip or the inside of your nose to bleed.
• Post nasal drip is the drip of mucus down the back of the throat caused by blocked sinus cavities.
• Difficulty breathing when nasal passages are inflamed, making the passages narrow.
• Headaches due to congestion and pressure build up in blocked sinuses.

Septoplasty is a surgery performed to repair or straighten a damaged septum. This procedure is mainly done for people over the age of 18, as a child's septum only stops growing around 17-18 years. Surgeons usually wait for children to reach this age before surgery is performed.

During Septoplasty, a small incision is created inside the nose, and the cartilage portion of the septum manipulated into a reasonable straight line. Any small, bony protrusions are removed during surgery.