This strip of bone is called the maxillary crest; it articulates in front with the septal nasal cartilage, and at the back with the vomer.

Two ossification centers, one on either side of the middle line, appear about the eighth week of fetal development in this part of the membrane, and hence the vomer consists primarily of two lamellae.

As growth proceeds, the union of the lamellae extends upward and forward, and at the same time, the intervening plate of cartilage undergoes absorption.

By the onset of puberty the lamellae are almost completely united to form a median plate, but evidence of the bilaminar origin of the bone is seen in the everted alae of its upper border and in the groove on its anterior margin.

A perforated nasal septum can be caused by an ulcer, trauma due to an inserted object, long-term exposure to welding fumes,[6] or cocaine use.