Deviated septum

LORELAI: You got your fabulous flair from me.
RORY: I also got my deviated septum from you.

The nasal septum is the bone and cartilage which separates the right and left sides of the nose, dividing the nostrils. A deviated septum is one where some displacement has taken place in the septum. It’s a common condition – most of us have a deviated septum to some degree. It is most often caused by facial trauma, or is apparent from birth, either during fetal development, or through compression during childbirth. It is only rarely genetic, so Rory may have “got” her deviated septum from Lorelai (while being born), but didn’t inherit it.

In severe cases a deviated septum can cause problems with breathing which may require a minor surgical procedure. It is unclear whether Rory ever needed or received this surgery.