General Medical Information

Nasal Valve Obstruction

Richard L. Mabry

The radius of the nasal passage is most compromised at the nasal valve, a cross-sectional area bounded medially by the septum and bilaterally by the junction of the distal section of the upper lateral cartilage and proximal section of the lateral crura of the greater alar cartilage. This narrowed area has a floodgate effect on inspiratory and expiratory airflow and maintains median airflow through flow resistance. Patients with mesorrhine or leptorrhine characteristics often are susceptible to nasal valve collapse due to insufficient anatomic support. Iatrogenic factors in rhinoplasty, such as excessive resection of cartilage from the nasal valve support region, may weaken the nasal valve and allow it to collapse with maximal inspiration.