The Anatomy of Your Nose

Before patients should elect for rhinoplasty, they should first understand the nose. Your nose is so much more than just a feature on your face—it’s a key player in your daily life, impacting everything from your breathing to your sense of taste and how you experience the world. It also plays a significant role in your facial aesthetics, shaping your appearance and, at times, even influencing your personality. 

With its intricate design, from the outer contours to the tiny inner tissues, your nose manages a range of essential tasks without a second thought. Our team at Double-Board-certified facial plastic surgeon  Dr. Raj Dedhia‘s practice in San Francisco, CA, encourages you to examine it closer and learn more about this often-overlooked organ. 

Basic Functions: The Nose Knows

Your nose is your body’s first line of defense, which filters the air before it reaches your lungs. Tiny hairs called cilia catch larger particles like dust and pollen, while mucous membranes produce mucus to trap smaller debris. On top of that, the nose warms and moistens the air, making sure it’s at just the right temperature and humidity for your lungs to work efficiently.

Beyond breathing, your nose has another critical job—your sense of smell. In the upper part of your nasal cavity, the olfactory epithelium (a thin tissue layer) contains special cells that detect odor molecules in the air. When these molecules bind to receptors, they send signals to the brain, identifying them as distinct smells. Your sense of smell is closely linked to taste and has a powerful connection to memory and emotion, making it one of the more influential senses in your life.

External Anatomy: The Shape of It

Naturally, the outside of your nose is the most noticeable part, making it a key focal point of your attention. It’s a feature that catches the eye, shaping the overall impression of your appearance, and is primarily determined by the following portions of your external nasal anatomy:

• Nasal Bridge: The nasal bridge is the bony area at the top of your nose, right between your eyes. The top third of the nose is primarily made up of the nasal bones, which are fused at the center and give the nose its structure and shape. The height and width of the nasal bridge can differ from person to person, with genetics and ethnicity often playing a key role in these variations. The middle third is made up of cartilage (called the upper lateral cartilages) and the nasal septum. The ratio of the bone and cartilage portions of the bridge are variable, as well, from person to person.
• Nasal Tip: The tip of the nose is mainly made of cartilage, which allows it to move and adapt. This area is key to the overall look of the nose and can vary significantly in shape, size, and projection from person to person. Supported by the lower lateral cartilages, the nasal tip is flexible enough to shift slightly in response to external pressure, contributing to its dynamic appearance.
• Nostrils (Nares): The nostrils are the external openings of the nose, allowing air to flow in and out of the body. They’re bordered by the alae, soft cartilaginous tissue on either side that helps define their shape. Beyond being passageways for air, the nostrils are crucial for breathing. They are lined with tiny hairs called cilia that filter out dust, debris, and other particles before they reach the lungs.
• Columella: The columella is a small strip of skin and cartilage between the two nostrils. Its prominence varies from person to person, but it plays a key role in shaping the overall look of the nose. The columella’s size and definition can also influence the appearance of the nasal tip, adding to the nose’s overall balance and harmony. The ratio of the columella to the nostril (particularly the alar rim) is an important factor in establishing harmony in nasal appearance.
• Alar Cartilages: The alar cartilages form the framework of the nostrils, giving them shape and flexibility. Their size and configuration play a key role in determining the nostrils’ width and contour, influencing the nose’s overall look.

Internal Anatomy: The Structure of It

Not to be outdone, the internal components of the nose are just as intricate as the external features and just as essential to your body’s functions. Inside your nose is a vast combination of airways, tissues, and structures that work seamlessly together to filter, warm, moisten, and detect smells in the air you breathe. 

• Nasal Cavity: The nasal cavity is the spacious area inside the nose, stretching from the nostrils to the nasopharynx, the upper part of the throat. The nasal septum divides it into two halves, each lined by a mucous membrane that warms and moistens the air as it enters the body. The nasal cavity also contains the olfactory receptors responsible for our sense of smell, making it essential for breathing and scent detection.
• Nasal Septum: The nasal septum is the cartilage and bone structure that divides the nasal cavity into two halves, creating the left and right nostrils. It consists of the perpendicular plate of the ethmoid bone, the vomer bone, and the cartilage that forms the lower part of the septum. When the septum is crooked or misaligned, a condition known as a deviated septum, it can lead to breathing difficulties or even contribute to snoring.
• Turbinates (Nasal Conchae): The turbinates are three pairs of bony structures inside the nasal cavity—superior, middle, and inferior—that are lined with mucous membranes. They help increase the nose’s surface area, making it easier to filter, warm, and humidify the air before it reaches the lungs. In addition, they play a key role in controlling airflow, ensuring the air we breathe is clean and optimal for our respiratory health. The inferior turbinates are particularly important in nasal breathing and comprise a portion of the space referred to as the internal nasal valve.
• Sinuses: The paranasal sinuses are air-filled cavities located within the bones of the skull, including the frontal, ethmoid, sphenoid, and maxillary bones. Connected to the nasal cavity, these sinuses help lighten the skull, improve vocal resonance, and produce mucus to keep the nasal passages moist. When the sinuses become blocked, it can lead to sinusitis, a painful condition where the sinuses become inflamed and infected.
• Olfactory Bulb and Receptors: Smell is controlled by olfactory receptors in the upper nasal cavity. These receptors send signals to the olfactory bulb, which then sends the information to the brain to process. The olfactory system is closely linked to taste, memory, and emotion, making it one of the body’s most powerful and influential sensory systems.

Nasal Breathing and The Nasal “Valves”

Internal Nasal Valve

The internal nasal valve is the narrowest part of the nasal airway, located just a little behind the nostrils. It’s formed by the junction of the septum (the wall dividing the nostrils), the lower edge of the upper lateral cartilage, and the floor of the nose. Despite being called a “valve,” it’s not a true valve that opens and closes but rather a critical space that controls the flow of air through the nose. Even slight narrowing or collapse of this area can significantly impact breathing, leading to a sensation of nasal obstruction. Proper function of the internal nasal valve is essential for efficient airflow and overall nasal breathing, which is why surgeons take great care to preserve or improve this space during nasal surgeries like rhinoplasty or functional nasal reconstruction.

External Nasal Valve

The external nasal valve is the outermost part of the nasal airway, located at the entrance of the nostrils. It’s bordered by the nostril rim, the alar (side) cartilage, and the soft tissues of the nose. Like the internal valve, it isn’t a true valve but a critical space that influences how well air flows into the nasal passages. The external nasal valve plays an especially important role during deep inhalation, such as when exercising, as it’s the first structure that air encounters. Weakness or collapse of this area, often due to trauma, aging, or previous surgery, can cause noticeable difficulty in breathing. Addressing issues with the external nasal valve may involve structural support or reinforcement to ensure proper airflow and improve nasal function.

Why Choose Dr. Dedhia?

At Raj Dedhia MD Facial Plastic Surgery, you can expect personalized care and exceptional results. Dr. Dedhia, a Double-Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon with over 10 years of experience, specializes in rhinoplasty and facelift surgery. His approach to cosmetic surgery focuses on achieving natural, long-lasting results tailored to each patient’s unique features. As a proud member of the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (ABOHNS), the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS), and the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS), Dr. Dedhia is highly qualified to help you achieve your aesthetic goals with confidence. Dr. Dedhia should be your trusted choice for your Rhinoplasty in San Francisco.

Schedule Your Rhinoplasty Consultation

We hope you’ve enjoyed this information about your nasal anatomy. If you have any questions about your nasal function or appearance, we encourage you to schedule a rhinoplasty consultation with Dr. Dedhia today! Call us at (415) 562-4670 or use our consultation request form, and our concierge team will contact you! Breathe easier and start living life to the fullest with a San Francisco Rhinoplasty procedure. Patients can now also book a consultation with Dr. Dedhia directly online here