US Medical Term · anatomy
Nasal Septum
Tabique nasal
Also: Septo nasal (regional variant)
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Nasal Septum |
| Spanish (Español) | Tabique nasal |
| Chinese (中文) | 鼻中隔 |
| Korean (한국어) | 비중격 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Vách ngăn mũi |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Septa ng ilong |
| Portuguese (Português) | Septo nasal |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | ผนังกั้นโพรงจมูก |
| Japanese (日本語) | 鼻中隔 |
What it means
The nasal septum is the thin wall of cartilage and bone that divides the inside of your nose into two separate passages — left and right nostrils. In many people, the septum is not perfectly centered; this is called a deviated septum. A severely deviated septum can partially or fully block one nostril, making breathing difficult, causing frequent nosebleeds, and worsening snoring or sleep apnea. Deviated septums can be present from birth or result from a nose injury. A surgical procedure called septoplasty can straighten the septum to improve airflow. The nasal septum may also be injured during trauma to the nose, or affected by infections, cocaine use, or certain inflammatory diseases.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
My doctor said I have a deviated septum that is blocking my right nostril.
Mi doctor dijo que tengo el tabique nasal desviado, lo que bloquea mi fosa nasal derecha.
Will I need surgery to fix my nasal septum?
¿Necesitaré cirugía para corregir mi tabique nasal?
I broke my nose and now I cannot breathe through one side — could my septum be shifted?
Me rompí la nariz y ahora no puedo respirar por un lado — ¿podría haberse desviado mi tabique nasal?
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026