Topics

Topic

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Lateral nasal cartilage

The lateral nasal cartilage (upper lateral cartilage) is a paired, triangular hyaline cartilage forming a key structural component of the middle third of the external nose. It contributes to the contour of the nasal dorsum and supports the internal nasal valve, maintaining nasal airflow and structural stability.

It is an important landmark in facial anatomy, rhinoplasty planning, trauma assessment, and cross-sectional imaging of the nasal framework.

Synonyms

  • Upper lateral nasal cartilage

  • Triangular cartilage of the nose

Location

  • Situated in the middle third of the external nose

  • Inferior to the nasal bones

  • Superior to the alar (lower lateral) cartilages

  • Lateral to the septal cartilage

  • Deep to the nasal skin and superficial musculoaponeurotic system

Anatomical components

  • Paired hyaline cartilages

  • Medial border:

    • Articulates with the septal cartilage

  • Superior border:

    • Overlapped by the nasal bones

  • Inferior border:

    • Continuous with the upper margin of the alar cartilages

  • Lateral border:

    • Blends with fibrous connective tissue of the nasal sidewall

Relations

Superficially:

  • Skin and subcutaneous tissue of the nasal dorsum

  • Nasal muscles (nasalis, levator labii superioris alaeque nasi)

Deep:

  • Nasal mucosa

  • Internal nasal valve region

Medially:

  • Septal cartilage

Laterally:

  • Fibrofatty tissue of the nasal sidewall

Superiorly:

  • Nasal bones

Inferiorly:

  • Alar (lower lateral) cartilages

X-ray appearance

Plain radiographs:

  • Lateral nasal cartilage: Not directly visualized due to cartilaginous composition

  • Assessment: Indirectly inferred from soft-tissue contours

  • Nasal bones: Clearly visualized as radiopaque structures

CT appearance

Non-contrast CT:

  • Cartilage: Soft-tissue density structure beneath the nasal bones

  • Margins: Smooth and symmetric

  • Relationships: Well-defined interface with nasal bones and septal cartilage

Post-contrast CT:

  • Cartilage: No enhancement

  • Adjacent soft tissues: Expected mild enhancement

MRI appearance

T1-weighted images:

  • Lateral nasal cartilage: Low-to-intermediate signal intensity

  • Adjacent fat: High signal providing clear contrast

T2-weighted images:

  • Cartilage: Intermediate signal intensity

  • Mucosa and surrounding soft tissues: Higher signal than cartilage

MRI image

Lateral Nasal Cartilage MRI

MRI image

Lateral nasal cartilage

CT image

Lateral nasal cartilage CT