Anatomy of the upper lateral cartilages in the human newborn

The morphology of the upper lateral cartilages in the newborn child was studied by dissection of the nose in two stillborns. It was found that the cartilaginous nasal dorsum extends from the tip of the nose for the full length under the nasal bones and in lateral direction on the inner surface of the frontal process of the maxilla. Septum and upper lateral cartilages form a double vaulted structure as in the fetal stages. The marked differences between the neonate and adult anatomy must be respected in rhino- and facial surgery in young children.