Droppy Nose?
What even is considered a droopy nose?In Reality:
- it basically means a downwarded rotation or sagging of nasal tip. (pointed down towards feet rather than projecting forward or slightly upward)
Why is it such a issue for some?
- This can make the nose appear longer / older / less defined. ( may even affect breathing if severe)
What does it mean in anatomy?
- It's not as single as just a sign of "trash" of Greater Alar Cartilage...
Basic Nose Anatomy
(!)
Worth Reading: Quick Explanation of the nose analysis referring to picture
Nasal Bone:
Nasal Bone:
- Determines Bridge height / width / straightness
- Can't directly cause Droopiness but can influence overall nasal length
Ethmoid:
- Forms the part of the nasal roof and septum
- isn't a primary cause in "droppy tip"
Vomer:
- Thin bone at the base of the septum that forms the lower posterior. It stabilizes the nasal floor
-rarely causes droop unless there's a deformity
Palatine:
- Part of the hard palate bone
-it forms the back of the nasal floor. Clefts can alter nose base.
Maxilla:
- Upper jaw bone that forms the nasal floor and Sides. Influences alar base width and columella position (anchors the nose base)
- if the maxilla is recessed it can make the nose appear more droopy by reducing projection.
Septal Cartilage:
- forms the anterior septum
- Maintains nose height and straightness.. supports tip projection.
- If it's too long or angled downward, it can push the tip into a droopy position
Greater Alar Cartilage:
- Forms the nostril shape and tip
- Defines tip contour / nostril flare / columella
- provides the primary structural support for the tip. (If it's weak, elongated, malformed, or "trash" the tip lacks firmness and sags under gravity)
- Forms the nostril shape and tip
- Defines tip contour / nostril flare / columella
- provides the primary structural support for the tip. (If it's weak, elongated, malformed, or "trash" the tip lacks firmness and sags under gravity)
(!) ↓ Quick Explanation
Important Note:
- The nose isn't just bone and cartilages. It's enveloped in skin / muscles / ligaments / soft tissues. The tip's position is determined by a balance of these elements, not just a one single part. (!)
Is Droopy Nose even real?
- Yes and it's actually classified as deformity JFLIs Bad Greater Alar only cause?
- While it's often Central it's rarely the only causeThe Real causes of Droppy Nose
Weak / Malformed Greater Alar Cartilage (Major Alar Cartilage):
- Too weak or thin (genetic or aging related collagen loss)-Elongated or poorly angled ( you are either born with it or you develop it over time)
Septal Cartilage:
- the septal cartilage's lower end acts as a foundation for the tip. If it's overextended / angled downward / deviated it forces the tip to droopLack of Tip Supporting Mechanisms
- Ligaments like the scroll ligament (connecting upper + lower cartilages) can be weak allowing the tip to sag. [Same with Pitanguy's ligament (midline support)]
Non Anatomical Factors:
(cba to explain there's as it's pretty much obv)1. Aging
1.1 Collagen and elastin in the cartilage and skin degrade as the age goes on ( you get what I mean)
2. Muscles
2.1 The depressor septi nasi muscle (attached to the septum and upper lip) Can be overactive or simply hypertrophied which means that when you smile or talk it will pull the tip down dynamically
3. Skin and Soft Tissue Envelope (Fibrofatty Tissue
3.1 Thick, heavy skin (common in some ethnicities) adds weight, pulling the tip down
3.2 In aging or after weight loss the fibrofatty layer thins or sags which means reduction of support and making the underlying cartilage weaknesses more visible
3.3fibrofatty tissue alone rarely causes true ptosis. (it's more about how it interacts with cartilage)
4. Phenotypes (you can be born with predisposition)
4.1 example: - Longer noses in Middle Eastern ancestry and in some Mediterraneans
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5584101/
Just have Top10% Nose ↓
yes ik some are morphed
TLDR; Droopy nose is not purely due to "trash" greater alar cartilage (even tho that's a main/key factor). It's far more complicated anatomically since nose is a landmark.
It's a complex of anatomy, often worsened by age or genetics etc.
)
