Lateral nasal cartilage

The lateral nasal cartilage is a paired, triangular plate of hyaline cartilage that forms the superolateral part of the external nose, contributing to the structure and patency of the nasal airway. It attaches medially to the septal cartilage and superiorly to the nasal bones and maxilla. Its integrity is critical for maintaining nasal shape and for functional airflow through the internal nasal valve, the narrowest part of the nasal airway. Disruption, trauma, or malformation of this cartilage can result in deformity or symptomatic nasal obstruction, and surgical interventions (such as rhinoplasty) often require careful management of the lateral nasal cartilage to preserve nasal function and cosmesis.

Other names

lateral cartilage of the nosecartilago nasi lateralis