Major alar cartilage

Author: Dr Peter de Souza
Last modified: 13 December 2020

Major alar cartilage

The structure indicated is the major alar cartilage (greater alar cartilage).

The lateral walls of the external nose are comprised from three cartilages:

  1. Lateral process of septal cartilage
  2. Major alar cartilage
  3. Minor alar cartilage

The major alar cartilage is located directly below the lateral process of the septal cartilage. It is structured such that it is bent in on itself to form both the medial and lateral walls of the nose. The crus laterale forms the lateral wall, whereas the crus mediale forms the medial wall.