Deviated septum - a common physical disorder of the nose, involving a displacement of the nasal septum (the bone and cartilage in the nose that separates the nasal cavity into the two nostrils); The septum should be straight and bisect the nose equally into two sides. When it is said to be deviated, that means it curves to one side or the other (occasionally in more than one place). This displacement can cause breathing problems, and lessen the amount of secretions that can drain, leading to an increased incidence of sinus infections.
A deviated septum can be caused by trauma, such as a broken nose from a blow to the face, compression of the nose during childbirth or it can be an inherited trait. When rhinoplasty is performed in part to repair a deviated septum, it may be partially covered by some health insurance plans.
