Is Nose Hump Made of Flexible Cartilage or Bone?

The top of many dorsal humps are at the bony - cartilaginous junction of your nasal bridge. In our practice, we may use Joseph saws to remove the bony portion of the hump, and a blade to lower the cartilaginous part of the hump. Hope this helps. Dr Joseph

Hi Anon,

All the rubbing in the world will not make a nasal hump smaller, in fact as in your case it may appear slightly larger from the constant irritation.  Usually the major portion of a nasal dorsal hump is cartilage with bone also contributing.  To reduce the hump, rhinoplasty is required.

Good luck and be well.

Dr. P

Pressing on the nasal hump is unlikely to do anything other than give you a sore nose.  The "hump" is as Dr. Pearlstein noted, usually the confluence of bony and cartilaginous nasal dorsum. The nasal bones, septum, and upper lateral cartilages fuse in this area.  It is sometimes more of a bone issue and sometimes primarily cartilage.  Depending on the size of the bump, its removal may require a scalpel and osteotome (chisel), or a rasping device.  Removal of a dorsal hump often necessitates in-fracturing of the nasal bones in order to avoid a flat appearance to the top of the nose.  Rhinoplasty is definitely a procedure that requires finesse and expertise, so ask around before committing.

In most people, the highest point of a nasal hump is actually the junction between bone and cartilage. These are both rigid structures and need to both be addressed in nasal hump removal. Reducing the bone is by using a special surgical rasp or an osteotome (looks like a chisel). Reducing the cartilage is by using a special scissors and/or a surgical blade.

In fact its more cartilage than bone. You can't change the shape by pressure. Over time cartilage can change shape. Its thought to be due to continued slow growth possibly accelerated by injury. Short of surgery there isn't any way to change the shape.