Nasal septal cartilage

The nasal septal cartilage is a four-sided, plate-like structure made of hyaline cartilage, found on the midline of the nose. It is the anterior cartilaginous component of the nasal septum, separating the right and left nasal cavities and providing central structural support to the external nose and midface[1][2][3][4][7]. Anteriorly, it remains cartilaginous, while posteriorly, it may undergo endochondral ossification to become part of the perpendicular plate of the ethmoid bone. The cartilage is avascular, surrounded by perichondrium, and composed mainly of chondrocytes embedded in a matrix of collagen II, aggrecan, and hyaluronic acid. Its unique extracellular matrix and cellular architecture give it mechanical stiffness and resistance to deformation, which is clinically significant for both respiratory function and aesthetic facial structure. NSC is not a molecular drug target such as a receptor or enzyme; rather, it is a specialized connective tissue relevant to anatomy, physiology, and reconstructive surgery[1][2][3][4].

Other names

Cartilago septi nasiseptal cartilagequadrangular cartilageNSC