Nasal cartilages (septal, lateral and alar)
Cartilagines nasi
RespiratoryOrgansHead
- What it is
- The flexible lower two-thirds of the external nose: the midline septal cartilage, paired upper lateral cartilages under the dorsum, and paired U-shaped major alar cartilages that shape the tip and nostrils.
- Function
- Give the nose its shape while keeping the nostrils open yet pliable; the alar cartilages stiffen the nasal valve against collapse when breathing in.
- Size
- Septal cartilage about 3 × 3.5 cm and 2–4 mm thick; the alar domes lie ~4 mm under the skin of the tip.
- Clinical note
- Rhinoplasty mainly reshapes these cartilages; a septal haematoma after injury can cut off the cartilage's blood supply and cause a "saddle nose".