A 9-year-old boy presents with recurrent epistaxis from the anterior nasal septum. On examination, a plexus of dilated vessels is seen on the anterior inferior part of the nasal septum. What is the name of this vascular plexus and what vessels contribute to it?

• A Woodruff's plexus; posterior nasal artery and ascending pharyngeal artery
• B Little's area; posterior ethmoidal artery and posterior septal branches only
• C Woodruff's plexus; sphenopalatine and ascending palatine arteries
• D Little's area (Kiesselbach's plexus); sphenopalatine, greater palatine, anterior ethmoidal arteries, and labial branch of facial artery ✓

Explanation

Little's area (Kiesselbach's plexus) is located on the anterior inferior nasal septum and is the most common site of epistaxis (90%). It receives contributions from four arteries: the sphenopalatine artery (branch of maxillary artery), the greater palatine artery, the anterior ethmoidal artery (branch of ophthalmic artery), and the septal branch of the superior labial artery from the facial artery. Woodruff's plexus is posteriorly located on the inferior turbinate.

Reference: Dhingra Diseases of Ear, Nose and Throat, 7th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.