title: Concepts in the management of the lower nasal cartilages: anatomic contour--surgical sculpturing.
abstract: The lower nasal cartilages are sophisticated in contour as they exist in the normal position in the live patient. A different concept of the anatomic contour and twist of the cartilage is presented in anticipation of applying this information to surgical correction. Many cadaver dissections have been performed to demonstrate anatomic and surgical detail. The complex problem of surgical correction is simplified in four basic techniques from which the surgeon can select according to the existing anatomy. The contour of the "average normal" alar cartilage is presented from a different perspective, and average measurements for the remaining caudal segment are given as a guide for the surgeon.
mesh_terms: D002356:Cartilage / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D009666:Nose / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery*; D012225:Rhinoplasty / Q000379:methods*