Epistaxis from Woodruff's plexus (posterior epistaxis) characteristically bleeds into the nasopharynx and is often not visible anteriorly. It is a venous plexus located in which region?

• A Anterior nasal septum (Little's area)
• B Superior turbinate near olfactory cleft
• C Floor of the nose at the nasal sill
• D Posterior part of the inferior meatus, overlying the posterior end of the inferior turbinate ✓

Explanation

Woodruff's nasopharyngeal plexus is a venous plexus in the posterior inferior meatus and overlying the posterior end of the inferior turbinate, at approximately the level of the posterior choana. It is the source of most posterior epistaxis in older adults and hypertensives. Because blood flows posteriorly into the nasopharynx, it may not be visible anteriorly. Kiesselbach's plexus (Little's area) is the anterior septal site of most epistaxis in children and young adults.

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.