ABSTRACT
Fracture of the nasal bones Blunt injury to the nose may fracture the nasal bones. This can be a simple crack of the nasal bones without displacement, but greater force may result in deviation of the bony nasal complex laterally (Fig. 43.7). A blow directly from the front may depress the bony pyramid or cause a comminuted fracture and widening of the bridge of the nose. The fracture line can extend into the lacrimal bone and tear the anterior ethmoidal artery producing catastrophic haemorrhage. This may be delayed, occurring only as the soft-tissue swelling subsides and the torn artery opens up.
