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Cartilaginous part of nasal septum

The cartilaginous part of the nasal septum is the anterior, flexible component of the nasal septum that separates the right and left nasal cavities. It provides structural support to the external nose and contributes to the shape, stability, and alignment of the nasal dorsum and tip.

This component is clinically and radiologically important due to its role in septal deviation, trauma, congenital variants, and preoperative assessment in rhinologic and facial surgery.

Synonyms

  • Septal cartilage

  • Quadrangular cartilage

Location

  • Forms the anterior portion of the nasal septum

  • Situated between the two nasal cavities

  • Anterior to the perpendicular plate of the ethmoid

  • Anterior and inferior to the vomer

  • Extends from the nasal bones superiorly to the columella inferiorly

  • Continuous posteriorly with the bony nasal septum

Anatomical components

  • Hyaline cartilage plate

  • Quadrangular shape (classically described)

  • Perichondrium covering both sides of the cartilage

  • Articulations:

    • Nasal bones (superiorly)

    • Perpendicular plate of ethmoid (posterosuperiorly)

    • Vomer (posteroinferiorly)

    • Maxillary and palatine crests (inferiorly)

Relations

Anteriorly:

  • Columella

  • Nasal vestibule

Posteriorly:

  • Perpendicular plate of the ethmoid

  • Vomer

Superiorly:

  • Nasal bones

  • Upper lateral (triangular) cartilages

Inferiorly:

  • Maxillary crest

  • Palatine crest

Laterally:

  • Mucoperichondrium of the nasal cavities

  • Inferior and middle nasal turbinates (indirect relationship)

Developmental anatomy

  • Develops from nasal septal cartilage in early fetal life

  • Serves as a growth center for the midface during childhood

  • Gradually remodels with age

  • May show persistent asymmetry or deviation into adulthood

X-ray appearance

Plain radiographs (limited role):

  • Cartilage: Typically not directly visualized

  • Septal alignment: Inferred by deviation of nasal cavity air columns

  • Bony septum: Visible posteriorly, providing indirect reference

CT appearance

Non-contrast CT:

  • Cartilaginous septum: Soft-tissue density structure in the anterior nasal cavity

  • Margins: Smooth, well-defined against air-filled nasal cavities

  • Continuity: Seen transitioning posteriorly into bony septum

  • Septal alignment: Midline or deviated configuration clearly appreciated

Post-contrast CT:

  • Cartilage: No enhancement

  • Mucosa: Mild enhancement may be seen along septal lining

MRI appearance

T1-weighted images:

  • Septal cartilage: Intermediate-to-low signal intensity

  • Perichondrium and mucosa: Slightly higher signal

  • Surrounding fat (vestibule): High signal

T2-weighted images:

  • Cartilage: Intermediate signal intensity

  • Mucosa: Relatively higher signal

  • Air in nasal cavity: Signal void

FLAIR:

  • Cartilage: Intermediate signal

  • Mucosal lining: Mildly hyperintense relative to cartilage

Post-contrast T1-weighted images:

  • Cartilage: No enhancement

CT image

Cartilaginous part of nasal septum CT

MRI image

Cartilaginous part of nasal septum MRI anatomy image -img-00000-00000

X Ray image

Cartilaginous part of nasal septum X RAY