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The Nose's Cartilages: Structure, Support, and Function

Ever wondered what keeps your nose upright? Meet the cartilages that give your nose its shape and let you breathe and smell.

This is a poster in this image there are different types of bones, and at the bottom and top of the...
This is a poster in this image there are different types of bones, and at the bottom and top of the image there is some text.

The Nose's Cartilages: Structure, Support, and Function

The human nose, a complex structure, is supported by various cartilages. These cartilages provide shape and stability, enabling breathing and smelling.

The nose's structure includes several types of cartilages. The greater alar cartilage forms part of the nostrils' framework. Meanwhile, lesser alar cartilages, three or four small nasal cartilages attached to the upper jawbone, also contribute to the nose's support.

The nasal cartilages, primarily composed of hyaline cartilage, are dense with collagen. They include the minor alar cartilages, also known as accessory cartilages, attached to the lower jawbone. The lateral nasal cartilage, a triangular structure, is located below the nasal bone. These cartilages link and separate nasal structures, enabling proper functioning.

The nose's cartilages, including the greater alar, lesser alar, lateral nasal, accessory, and quadrangular cartilages, along with the vomeronasal cartilage, work together to provide structure, support, and division within the nasal cavity. This intricate arrangement facilitates breathing and smelling, essential for life.

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