Functional anatomy of the nose

Area of Science:

• Anatomy
• Surgery
• Morphology

Background:

• The human nose exhibits significant anatomical variation across populations.
• Existing knowledge of nasal pyramid and soft tissue morphology is substantial but lacks standardized nomenclature.
• Recent decades show increased research into the functional morphology of external nasal anatomy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the fundamental anatomical structures of the external nose.
• To emphasize the importance of detailed anatomical knowledge for successful rhinosurgery.
• To address the need for standardized nomenclature in the field of nasal anatomy and surgery.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of functional morphology studies on the external nose.
• Synthesis of current anatomical and clinical knowledge relevant to rhinoplasty.
• Focus on basic structures essential for both functional and aesthetic outcomes.

Main Results:

• The external nose is a complex anatomical region with considerable inter- and intra-population variability.
• A comprehensive understanding of external nasal structures is vital for rhinoplasty.
• The lack of a standardized nomenclature presents a challenge in the field.

Conclusions:

• Detailed anatomical and clinical understanding of the external nose is a prerequisite for successful functional and aesthetic rhinoplasty.
• Further efforts are needed to establish a standardized nomenclature for nasal structures.
• This review provides a foundation for essential knowledge in rhinoplasty.