Can you feel a deviated septum?

The septum is the wall that separates the right and left nasal cavity. The septum is behind the alar cartilage. When you pinch your nostrils, the wiggly cartilage that you feel is NOT your septum. The septum is behind this. The area that wiggles is called the membranous septum and has fibrous tissue but not cartilage.  Structurally, the septum is cartilage in front and bone in back. The length is about 7-9 cm total. With your fingers, you can only feel the front end of the septum. If you feel this is deviated, then it is probably deviated. If you feel an indent, it is probably the membranous septum and unlikely a perforation.  Perforations are holes it the septum and vary widely size, location, and underlying cause. I would recommend seeing a facial plastic surgeon for a thorough evaluation. It is possible your deviated septum is impacting your breathing and may be improved. 

To make the diagnosis of a deviated septum  requires a thorough internal examination. A septoplasty is performed for medical necessity  when there is significant airflow obstruction out of the nose.  A septoplasty  will not change the shape of the  nose.   A cosmetic rhinoplasty is performed to straighten the external appearance of the nose.

Dear Sam221, Diagnosing a deviated septum is done with an intra-nasal examination. Seek consultation with some experts in your area and a diagnosis can be made. Best regards, Michael V. Elam, M.D.