What Are the Signs of a Large Nasal Spine and What Can Be Done About It?

Question

I don't have a tethered lip but when i feel my columella i don't feel any cushion/space just a hard bone directly underneath touching the flesh, is this normal? could this be used to my advantage when shortening the nose?

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

If the caudal septum is prominent and creates a less than favorable nasolabial angle, the caudal septum and the spine can be reduced.  Find the plastic surgeon with ELITE credentials who performs hundreds of rhinoplasties each year.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Thomas Buonassisi, MD · Answer

The nasal spine lies below the skin at the junction of the nose and the lip. How it feels to touch is not as important as how it looks. If it is prominant it can blunt the nasolabial angle and this may not be ideal for your facial features. In my practice I modify the nasal spine to sharpen the nasolabial angle when needed but it has no bearing on the overall length.

Michael R. Menachof, MD · Answer

This is one of the difficulties with the internet and why RealSelf is so helpful. You are obviously intelligent and have researched the issue, but don't have the educational filter to figure out some of the nuances of the issue. That's what we're here for. Yes what you are feeling is normal. It might be your nasal spine and it might be the septal cartilage. Either way it doesn't make any difference which of the two it is because it has no bearing on how easy or difficult it would be to shorten your nose. A good rhinoplasty surgeon has to deal with one, the other or both when doing a rhinoplasty. One is not more difficult to deal with than the other. If you're really interested in considering a rhinoplasty, see a local surgeon for a consult. Good luck.

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

By your description, most likely what you are feeling is the caudal end of the septum not the anterior nasal spine. Adjusting septal length can play a key role in efforts to shorten the nose in rhinoplasty.

Alberto Di Giuseppe, MBBS · Answer

The anterior nasal spine provides the support for the septum. Resection of the anterior nasal spine does not affect he size of the nose, it only affects the length of the nose. With regards to a tethered lip, partial resection of the nasal spin and most of the depressor septi muscle can produce a better projected lip.

What Are the Signs of a Large Nasal Spine and What Can Be Done About It?

Answers (10)

Answer: Septum Not Spine Is What You Are Likely Feeling Behind Your Columella.

Answer: Septum Not Spine Is What You Are Likely Feeling Behind Your Columella.

Answer: Large Nasal Spine Signs

Answer: Large Nasal Spine Signs

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Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

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What Are the Signs of a Large Nasal Spine and What Can Be Done About It?

Answers (10)

Answer: Septum Not Spine Is What You Are Likely Feeling Behind Your Columella.

Answer: Septum Not Spine Is What You Are Likely Feeling Behind Your Columella.

Answer: Large Nasal Spine Signs

Answer: Large Nasal Spine Signs

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.