Inferior nasal meatus (Meatus nasi inferior): anatomy

Where is it located and what is it formed by?

The inferior nasal meatus is part of the lateral wall of the nasal cavity (cavitas nasalis ossea).

Superior boundary: formed by the inferior nasal concha (concha nasalis inferior). Unlike the superior and middle conchae, which are parts of the ethmoid bone, the inferior concha is an independent bone.
Inferior boundary: corresponds to the floor of the nasal cavity, represented by the hard palate.
Medial relation: the common nasal meatus (meatus nasi communis) is located between the nasal conchae and the bony nasal septum (septum nasi osseum).

What opens into the inferior nasal meatus?

The main anatomical opening of the inferior nasal meatus is the nasolacrimal canal (canalis nasolacrimalis) or nasolacrimal duct (ductus nasolacrimalis).

It drains the contents of the lacrimal sac (saccus lacrimalis).
The opening of the canal is located approximately 3.0–3.5 cm posterior to the edge of the nostril and 2 cm above the floor of the nasal cavity.

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Clinical significance in surgery and traumatology

The inferior nasal meatus serves as an access route in the treatment of trauma and diseases of the maxillofacial region:

Maxillary sinus puncture: puncture of the sinus is performed through the inferior nasal meatus to evacuate exudate and collect material for microbiological examination.
Control of bleeding: a soft catheter or Beloc tube is inserted through this pathway for posterior nasal packing.
Treatment of nasal fractures: after repositioning bone fragments, a polyvinyl chloride tube wrapped in a layer of iodoform gauze is inserted into the inferior nasal meatus. This is used to fix the fragments and maintain nasal breathing.
Gunshot wounds: during primary surgical debridement of maxillary wounds, an anastomosis with the inferior nasal meatus is created.
Anesthesia: during the Caldwell-Luc operation, a turunda soaked in a 10% lidocaine solution is placed in the inferior nasal meatus for surface anesthesia of the nasal mucosa.

Use for sounding and diagnostics

Enteral nutrition: the gastric tube is passed into the stomach through the inferior nasal meatus. Food is administered using a syringe or via a funnel in small portions at least 4 times a day. The daily volume is distributed as follows: 30% for breakfast, 40% for lunch, 20–25% for dinner, and 5–8% for a second dinner.
Collection of respiratory swabs: if the nasal cavity is filled with mucus, the patient is asked to blow their nose before the procedure. A sterile probe is inserted along the outer wall of the nose for 2–3 cm, then slightly lowered and passed into the inferior nasal meatus beneath the inferior nasal concha. The probe is advanced to the nasopharynx to a total depth of about 5–6 cm, approximately halfway from the nostril to the ear opening, rotated, and withdrawn.

Class and exam questions

Where does tear fluid drain from the eye?

Through the lacrimal drainage pathways, tears enter the nasolacrimal duct, which opens into the inferior nasal meatus. The opening is located 2 cm above the floor of the nasal cavity.

How is a nasopharyngeal swab properly taken through the nose?

If the nasal cavity is filled with mucus, the patient is asked to blow their nose. Then a sterile probe is inserted along the outer wall of the nose, lowered beneath the inferior nasal concha, passed into the inferior nasal meatus, and advanced to the nasopharynx to a depth of 5–6 cm, after which a rotational movement is performed.

What is the role of the inferior nasal meatus in the treatment of nasal fractures?

After reduction of bone fragments, a polyvinyl chloride tube wrapped in a layer of iodoform gauze is inserted into the inferior nasal meatus. This is used to fix the fragments and maintain nasal breathing.

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What else to study on this topic

Inferior nasal concha
Nasolacrimal canal
Maxillary sinus
Middle nasal meatus
Bony nasal septum

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Inferior nasal meatus