ANATOMIC CONSIDERATIONS IN NASAL BONE FRACTURE PART I: Bony part

The skeletal component of the nose includes the frontal process of the maxilla, the nasal process of the frontal bone, the ethmoid, the vomer, and the nasal bones. Fractures of the nasal bones occur more commonly distally, where they are broader and thinner. Significant force is required to fracture the more proximal nasal bones, in which case injury extension into the frontal process of the maxilla and frontal bone may be present.
The cartilaginous structures include the two lower lateral cartilages, two upper lateral cartilages, and the central septal cartilage. Paired upper lateral cartilages have solid attachments to the caudal aspect of the nasal bones and help maintain the midline location of the quadrangular cartilage. The lower lateral cartilages provide little midline
structural support but are responsible for much of the aesthetics and contour of the nasal tip. The fact that cartilage surrounds the bony matrix both dorsally and laterally to provide a soft and malleable framework allows some dissipation of force without incurring a permanent deformity. In general, significant force is required for a cartilaginous
injury.