An anatomical study in the oriental nose of the location of the vibrissae-bearing area in relation to the lower lateral cartilage

Abstract

Background: There is no well-known indicator that can assist with a precise intranasal incision during open rhinoplasty on the caudal border of the lower lateral cartilage. However, the vibrissae-bearing area is clinically known as a good landmark for cartilage. The aim of this study was to investigate the features of the vibrissae-bearing area in relation to the lower lateral cartilage.

Methods: Twenty-four heminoses of fixed Japanese cadavers were dissected to clarify the anatomical location of the vibrissae-bearing area in relation to the lower lateral cartilage.

Results: The medial part of the vibrissae-bearing area was precisely located on the medial crus of the lower lateral cartilage. Via a transitional state at the dome, the lateral part was located cephalic to the lateral crus in a manner in which the vibrissae-bearing area was adjacent to the lateral crus (adjacent type) in 22 cases, whilst the vibrissae-bearing area overlapped the lateral crus to some extent (overlap type) in two cases.

Conclusions: The anatomical location of the vibrissae-bearing area in relation to the lower lateral cartilage is almost uniform, suggesting its utility as an open rhinoplasty incision landmark.