Nasal arterial vasculature: medical and surgical applications.

Objectives: To analyze the nasal superficial arterial vasculature and to compare these anatomic findings with the results of ultrasonography Doppler investigations to evaluate nasal blood flow in physiological and pathologic conditions.

Methods: We performed 40 ultrasonography Doppler investigations in patient volunteers, 20 facial anatomic dissections in fresh cadavers, and a review of the literature on nasal blood supply. In cadavers, facial arteries were dissected to analyze nasal arterial supply.

Results: When the facial artery, the ophthalmic artery, or both were compressed on 1 side in volunteers, blood flow inversion was proved by ultrasonography Doppler investigation at the level of the nasal area. These results confirm anatomic findings that demonstrate a polygonal system.

Conclusions: A schema of nasal blood supply as a polygonal system connecting the external and internal carotid systems is proposed. This facilitates our understanding of anatomic variations, physiological and pathologic modifications of blood flow, and nasal reconstructions with local flaps and medical rhinoplasties using filler injections.