Which is the most common site of epistaxis (nosebleed)?

Which is the most common site of epistaxis (nosebleed)?

• A. Woodruff's plexus
• B. Sphenopalatine artery
• C. Kiesselbach's plexus
• D. Nasal mucosa

Answer: (C)

Epistaxis most often comes from the anterior nasal septum where a network of vessels forms Kiesselbach's plexus. This Little’s area brings together branches from the anterior ethmoidal artery, sphenopalatine artery, greater palatine artery, and the superior labial artery, all right under a thin mucosa. That combination makes the area particularly vulnerable to drying, trauma, and nose picking, so bleeding is usually anterior and easy to compress, which is why this site is the most common cause of nosebleeds. Posterior bleeds, by contrast, typically involve the sphenopalatine artery deeper in the nasal cavity and tend to be less common and more challenging to control. Woodruff’s plexus is associated with posterior bleeds as well but is not the frequent source. So the anterior, superficially located Kiesselbach’s plexus in the nasal septum best explains why this is the most common site.

Epistaxis most often comes from the anterior nasal septum where a network of vessels forms Kiesselbach's plexus. This Little’s area brings together branches from the anterior ethmoidal artery, sphenopalatine artery, greater palatine artery, and the superior labial artery, all right under a thin mucosa. That combination makes the area particularly vulnerable to drying, trauma, and nose picking, so bleeding is usually anterior and easy to compress, which is why this site is the most common cause of nosebleeds. Posterior bleeds, by contrast, typically involve the sphenopalatine artery deeper in the nasal cavity and tend to be less common and more challenging to control. Woodruff’s plexus is associated with posterior bleeds as well but is not the frequent source. So the anterior, superficially located Kiesselbach’s plexus in the nasal septum best explains why this is the most common site.