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Topic

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Minor alar cartilage

The minor alar cartilages (accessory alar cartilages) are small, variable cartilaginous plates located within the nasal ala, lateral to the major alar (lower lateral) cartilage. They contribute to the contour, flexibility, and structural support of the nostril margin and nasal sidewall.

Although often overlooked due to their size and variability, the minor alar cartilages are important in nasal anatomy, cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, and imaging evaluation of the external nose.

Synonyms

  • Accessory alar cartilages

  • Minor nasal alar cartilages

Location

  • Situated in the lateral wall of the nasal ala

  • Lateral and superior to the major alar (lower lateral) cartilage

  • Inferior to the lateral nasal (upper lateral) cartilage

  • Embedded within fibrofatty tissue of the nasal sidewall

  • Deep to the nasal skin and superficial musculoaponeurotic system

Anatomical components

  • Small, irregular hyaline cartilage fragments

  • Number:

    • Variable (commonly 2–4 on each side)

  • Shape:

    • Flat, curved, or nodular

  • Arrangement:

    • Aligned along the nasal ala

    • Not continuous with each other

Relations

Superficially:

  • Skin and subcutaneous tissue of the nasal ala

  • Nasal muscles (dilator naris, nasalis)

Deep:

  • Nasal vestibular mucosa

Medially:

  • Major alar (lower lateral) cartilage

Laterally:

  • Fibrofatty tissue of the nasal sidewall

Superiorly:

  • Lateral nasal (upper lateral) cartilage

Inferiorly:

  • Nostril margin

Developmental anatomy

  • Derived from nasal cartilage primordia during facial development

  • Fully developed at birth

  • Exhibit significant individual variability in size, number, and shape

X-ray appearance

Plain radiographs:

  • Minor alar cartilages: Not visualized due to cartilaginous composition

  • Evaluation: Based on external nasal contour and symmetry

CT appearance

Non-contrast CT:

  • Cartilages: Small soft-tissue density structures within the nasal ala

  • Visualization: Limited due to small size and similar density to surrounding soft tissues

  • Context: Best appreciated in thin-section images

Post-contrast CT:

  • Cartilages: No enhancement

MRI appearance

T1-weighted images:

  • Minor alar cartilages: Low-to-intermediate signal intensity

  • Surrounding fat: High signal, aiding indirect identification

T2-weighted images:

  • Cartilages: Intermediate signal intensity

  • Adjacent mucosa and soft tissues: Higher signal

MRI images

Minor alar cartilage coronal mri

MRI images

Minor alar cartilage mri axial