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Topic

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Perpendicular plate

The perpendicular plate of the ethmoid is a thin, vertical bony lamina that descends from the cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone to form the superior and posterior part of the nasal septum. It is a key midline structure contributing to separation of the nasal cavities and serves as an important anatomical landmark in sinonasal anatomy and imaging.

Because of its delicate structure and central location, the perpendicular plate is commonly evaluated in nasal septal deviation, trauma, congenital variants, and preoperative planning for endoscopic sinus surgery.

Synonyms

  • Ethmoidal perpendicular plate

  • Ethmoid septal plate

Location

  • Located in the midline of the nasal cavity

  • Extends inferiorly from the cribriform plate of the ethmoid

  • Forms the superior and posterior portion of the nasal septum

  • Articulates inferiorly with the vomer

  • Articulates anteriorly with the septal cartilage

  • Situated between the right and left nasal cavities

Anatomical components

  • Vertical bony plate of the ethmoid bone

  • Superior attachment:

    • Cribriform plate of the ethmoid

  • Inferior attachment:

    • Vomer

  • Anterior articulation:

    • Septal cartilage

  • Posterior relationship:

    • Sphenoid rostrum (via septal complex)

Relations

Anteriorly:

  • Septal cartilage

Posteriorly:

  • Sphenoid rostrum

  • Nasopharynx (indirectly)

Superiorly:

  • Cribriform plate

  • Olfactory bulb (separated by cribriform plate)

Inferiorly:

  • Vomer

Laterally:

  • Nasal cavities

  • Superior and middle nasal turbinates

Structures related to the perpendicular plate

  • Nasal septum (bony and cartilaginous components)

  • Olfactory filaments passing through cribriform plate (superiorly)

  • Superior nasal meatus

Function

  • Nasal cavity separation: Forms part of the nasal septum dividing right and left nasal cavities

  • Structural support: Provides rigidity and alignment to the nasal septum

  • Airflow regulation: Helps maintain laminar airflow within nasal passages

  • Anatomical landmark: Serves as a reference in sinonasal surgery and imaging

X-ray appearance

Skull and paranasal sinus radiographs:

  • Perpendicular plate: Thin vertical midline radiopaque line

  • Visibility: Limited due to superimposition of facial bones

  • Assessment: Septal deviation may be inferred rather than directly visualized

CT appearance

Non-contrast CT (bone window):

  • Perpendicular plate: Thin, high-density vertical bony plate in the midline

  • Continuity: Seen extending from cribriform plate to vomer

  • Best planes: Coronal and axial images provide optimal visualization

Post-contrast CT:

  • Bone: No enhancement

  • Adjacent mucosa: Normal enhancement patterns

3D CT VRT appearance

Volume-rendered technique (VRT):

  • Perpendicular plate: Visible as a delicate midline septal plate

  • Continuity: Clearly demonstrated with vomer and septal complex

  • Utility: Helpful for assessing septal alignment and bony anatomy

MRI appearance

T1-weighted images:

  • Bone: Low signal intensity

  • Septal cartilage (anterior): Intermediate signal

  • Adjacent soft tissues: Normal signal characteristics

T2-weighted images:

  • Bone: Low signal

  • Nasal mucosa: Intermediate-to-high signal

MRI image

MRI Perpendicular plate anatomy image -img-00000-00000

X-Ray image

perpendicular plate

CT image

Perpendicular plate