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AnatomyHead and neckSkull
Nasal bone

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Nasal bone

Last reviewed: January 07, 2020

The nasal bones are two small, symmetrical midface bones of the skull which build the bridge of the nose. 

Contents
  1. Anatomy
  2. Borders
  3. Osseous development
  4. Le Fort II fracture
  5. Related diagrams and images
+ Show all

Anatomy

Their superior borders and main bodies form the bridge of the nose while the inferior borders connect with the nasal cartilage to form the superior margin of the nasal aperture.

Recommended video: Nasal bone
Anatomy, function and location of the nasal bone.

Borders

It is bordered medially by its pair (→the internasal suture), the nasal part of the frontal bone superiorly (→frontonasal suture) and laterally by the frontal process of the maxilla (→ nasomaxillary suture). The perpendicular plate of the ethmoid bone (→ nasoethmoidal suture) and the septal cartilage of the nose lie behind the nasal bones. Inferiorly it is attached to the lateral cartilage of the nose.

Nasal bone (ventral view)

Osseous development

The nasal bones are ossified intramembranously via the cartilaginous nasal capsule. Clinically the hypoplasia or absence of nasal bones is a common feature in Down syndrome (trisomy 21) and other chromosomal abnormalities. That is why the detection of the nasal tip during ultrasound has become part of prenatal screening tests in many countries.

Le Fort II fracture

The nose is an extremely frequent place for fractures, e.g. due to sports injuries, road traffic accidents and fist fights. One typical example is the Le Fort II fracture

It has a pyramidal-shaped outline and extends from the nasal bridge superiorly to the pterygoid plates inferiorly. Laterally it passes through the inferior orbital floor and the anterior wall of the maxillary sinus. Within the orbit the fracture line passes next to the infraorbital foramen where the infraorbital nerve and its corresponding vessels pass through.

As it requires a great force to cause a Le Fort fracture the affected patients ought to be checked for other injuries as well, e.g. up to 50% have an open fracture with leaking cerebrospinal fluid.

Nasal bone: want to learn more about it?

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“I would honestly say that Kenhub cut my study time in half.” – Read more. Kim Bengochea Kim Bengochea, Regis University, Denver

Show references

References:

  • Neil S. Norton, Frank H. Netter: Netter’s Head and Neck Anatomy for Dentistry, 2nd edition, Elsevier Saunders, p. 36, 55, 62
  • Neil F. Sharpe, Ronald F. Carter: Genetic Testing - Care, Consent and Liability, John Wiley & Sons (2006), p.188
  • Brian Dolan, Lynda Holt: Accident & Emergency - 3rd edition, Elsevier (2013), p.157

Author:

  • Dr. Alexandra Sieroslawska

Illustrators:

  • Nasal bone (ventral view) - Yousun Koh
© Unless stated otherwise, all content, including illustrations are exclusive property of Kenhub GmbH, and are protected by German and international copyright laws. All rights reserved.

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Anterior and lateral views of the skull
Structures seen on the anterior and lateral views of the skull. [16:04]

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Anterior view of the skull
Structures seen on the anterior view of the skull.
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Anterior view of the skull
Structures seen on the anterior view of the skull.
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