Danger triangle of the face

Due to the special nature of the blood supply[?] to the human nose and surrounding area, it is possible for retrograde infections[?] from the nasal area to spread to the brain. For this reason, the area from the corners of the mouth to the bridge of the nose, including the nose and maxilla, is known to doctors as the danger triangle of the face.

It is therefore possible (but rare) for nose-picking or squeezing a pimple in this area to result in death. This has been dramatized to American high-school students as the "triangle of death".

External links

• Cavernous sinus thrombosis (http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/nhsdoheso/print.asp?sTopic=Cavernoussinusthrombosis)
• Google search for "danger triangle" with "nose" (http://www.google.com/search?q=%22danger+triangle%22+%2Bnose)
• Can you die from picking your nose? (http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_270b)