Basic Nasal Anatomy and Aesthetics

  • Primary Rhinoplasty: First (hopefully the last also) rhinoplasty performed
  • Revision or Secondary rhinoplasty: rhinoplasty performed subsequent to or repeated again after a primary rhinoplasty
    • Major, requiring cartilage grafts for collapse or major deformities from original rhinoplasty (often requires sedation or general anesthesia)
    • Minor, needing small amounts of skin, nostril, or cartilage tweaking or fine-tuning (often done with just local anesthesia)
  • Septoplasty: straightening of the septum often done by removing or straightening the most curved portion
  • Turbinoplasty: modification of the turbinates (see below) without removal
  • Turbinectomy: removal of bone and or mucosa of inferior turbinates
  • Ethnic Rhinoplasty: usually refers to rhinoplasty performed on non-Caucasian noses
    • Requires a versatile and full-spectrum skill set in all techniques of rhinoplasty to provide natural results while also creating clear changes
  • Cartilage Graft: a piece of cartilage removed from one location and relocated to another.
    • Grafts are often placed in the bridge to support the bones and help breathing, in the tip to shape the tip, in the alar area to support the nostrils, and/or on top of the bridge to augment the bridge
  • Dorsum: Bridge of the nose
    • Can be “rasped” or shaved down and reduced or augmented with select cartilage grafts (i.e., diced cartilage fascia grafts or straight rib grafts) or silicone implants
  • Radix: Deepest part of nose (at its root, where it meets the forehead)
    • Can be reduced to enhance the eyes more or augmented when too deep
  • Nasal Tip: The bottom of the nose; formed by the tip cartilages
    • Often requires refinement, and its projection can be reduced or increased
    • Also can be elevated or rotated upward and even lengthened in the case of an overly shortened nose
  • Domes: the peak of the tip cartilages
    • Enhanced when tip is refined with suturing techniques and/or grafting
  • Columella: The skin bridge between the nostrils
    • Can be retracted or excessive (hanging columella) requiring modification