Properties of the Nasal Cartilage, from Development to Adulthood: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Objective Nasal septum cartilage is a hyaline cartilage that provides structural support to the nasal cavity and midface. Currently, information on its cellular and mechanical properties is widely dispersed and has often been inferred from studies conducted on other cartilage types such as the knee. A detailed understanding of nasal cartilage properties is important for several biological, clinical, and engineering disciplines. The objectives of this scoping review are to (1) consolidate actual existing knowledge on nasal cartilage properties and (2) identify gaps of knowledge and research questions requiring future investigations. Design This scoping review incorporated articles identified using PROSPERO, Cochrane Library (CDSR and Central), WOS BIOSIS, WOS Core Collection, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global databases. Following the screening process, 86 articles were considered. Articles were categorized into three groups: growth, extracellular matrix, and mechanical properties. Results Most articles investigated growth properties followed by extracellular matrix and mechanical properties. NSC cartilage is not uniform. Nasal cartilage growth varies with age and location. Similarly, extracellular matrix composition and mechanical properties are location-specific within the NSC. Moreover, most articles included in the review investigate these properties in isolation and only very few articles demonstrate the interrelationship between multiple cartilage properties. Conclusions This scoping review presents a first comprehensive description of research on NSC properties with a focus on NSC growth, extracellular matrix and mechanical properties. It additionally identifies the needs (1) to understand how these various cartilage properties intersect and (2) for more granular, standardized assessment protocols to describe NSC.

Depth-Dependent Strain Model (1D) for Anisotropic Fibrils in Articular Cartilage

“…The role of collagen fibers in articular cartilage under compression has been studied extensively [44][45][46][47], and depth-dependent deformation and fibril reorientation responses The homogeneous distributions of both FCD and µ along the depth generated constant strain values. The condition of a constant intrinsic modulus of the collagen network can be attained in neonatal cartilage [17] or nasal cartilage [42,43] with a uniform fibril organization where most fibers align parallel to an external surface, i.e., θ = 0. The inhomogeneous case of both FCD and µ used the same parameters as those used to simulate the depth-dependent strain in Figure 4.…”

Second Harmonic Imaging of Nasal, Auricular, and Costal Cartilage

“…3 Although there are extensive studies on the structure of cartilage in the joints, little is known about the structure of collagen and the extracellular matrix (ECM) of facial and costal cartilages; our current understanding of morphologic cartilages, such as septal cartilage, predicates on inferences through other studies. 4 In this study, we examined septal, auricular, costal, and lower lateral (alar) cartilage specimens, the principal cartilages used in rhinoplasty and nasal reconstruction operations, using second harmonic generation microscopy to image type II collagen in the ECM. Additionally, the size and density of chondrocytes was measured, and collagen directionality was calculated.…”

“…Although there are extensive studies on the structure of cartilage in the joints, little is known about the structure of collagen and the extracellular matrix (ECM) of facial and costal cartilages; our current understanding of morphologic cartilages, such as septal cartilage, predicates on inferences through other studies 4 …”

The Effect of Trans-Sutural Distraction Osteogenesis on Nasal Bone, Nasal Septum, and Nasal Airway in the Treatment for Midfacial Hypoplasia in Growing Patients

“…Among them, TSDO applies force to the growing cranial suture and facial suture and induces the formation of new bone around the suture, which changes the shape and position of craniomaxillofacial bone, with the advantages of less trauma and fewer complications 11 . It is worth noting that the nasal septal cartilage is sensitive to the traction force, and the 3-dimensional growth of the midfacial bone can remove the space restriction on the nasal septal growth, which promotes the growth of the nasal septal cartilage 12 . Previous studies mainly focused on the effect of TSDO on the 3-dimensional growth of maxilla, while there was no report on the effect of TSDO on the nasal bone, nasal septum, and nasal airway.…”

“… 11 It is worth noting that the nasal septal cartilage is sensitive to the traction force, and the 3-dimensional growth of the midfacial bone can remove the space restriction on the nasal septal growth, which promotes the growth of the nasal septal cartilage. 12 Previous studies mainly focused on the effect of TSDO on the 3-dimensional growth of maxilla, while there was no report on the effect of TSDO on the nasal bone, nasal septum, and nasal airway.…”