In a broken nose, which is also known as a nasal fracture, the damage occurs to the bone or cartilage structures within the nose.
Specifically, based on the provided reference, a break in the bone or cartilage over the bridge, or in the sidewall or septum (structure that divides the nostrils) of the nose constitutes a nose fracture. A nasal fracture is also described as a break in the bone over the ridge of the nose.
Understanding a Nasal Fracture
A broken nose isn't just a crack; it can involve various parts of the complex nasal structure. Think of your nose as having a bony upper part and a cartilaginous lower part. A fracture can affect either or both of these areas.
Here are the specific areas that can be broken in a broken nose, according to the reference:
- The Bridge: This is the upper, bony part of the nose.
- The Sidewall: The sides of the nose.
- The Septum: This is the wall made of bone and cartilage that separates your two nostrils.
Key Structures Involved
To break it down further, a nasal fracture can impact these specific components:
- Bone over the bridge
- Cartilage over the bridge
- Bone in the sidewall
- Cartilage in the sidewall
- Bone in the septum
- Cartilage in the septum
- Bone over the ridge
This means a broken nose can manifest differently depending on which of these delicate structures is affected. For instance, a break might be in the main bone on the bridge, or it could be a crack in the cartilage that gives the lower part of the nose its shape, or even affect the internal structure dividing the nostrils.
Visualizing the Break
Imagine the different parts of your nose structure:
| Nasal Structure | Potential Involvement in a Break |
|---|---|
| Bridge | Bone or Cartilage |
| Sidewall | Bone or Cartilage |
| Septum | Bone or Cartilage |
| Ridge | Bone |
A broken nose, therefore, involves structural damage to these bony or cartilaginous elements, disrupting the nose's shape and function.
