The following diagrams provide a simplified illustration of how certain changes in the nose affect breathing:
a) normal
b) Tension septum
c) Broad-nosed
🧱 Nasal septum b)
What is a tension septum?
A tension septum occurs when the nasal septum is under excessive tension, usually in the front part of the nose.
This tension can both impair breathing and alter the shape of the nose.
How does a tension septum form?
Possible causes:
• septal cartilage that is too long or too thick
• uneven growth
• previous injuries
• compensatory deformities inside the nose
The tension can pull on or distort other nasal structures.
What symptoms occur?
• difficulty breathing through the nose
• A feeling of pressure or tightness
• Deviated septum
• Change in the position of the tip of the nose
• unstable tip of the nose
How is a tight septum corrected?
• Targeted relaxation and reshaping of the septal cartilage
• Functional septum correction
• May be combined with cosmetic rhinoplasty
The goal is a tension-free, stable nasal structure that improves breathing.
Ballooning of the Nose
What does “ballooning of the nose” mean?
The ballooning phenomenon describes the inward pulling of the lateral nasal wall during inhalation.
This obstructs the airflow—affected individuals feel as though they cannot breathe freely through their nose, even though outwardly there are often hardly any visible changes.
How does the ballooning phenomenon occur?
When you inhale, negative pressure builds up in the nose.
If the nasal septum is too soft or unstable, it cannot withstand this pressure and collapses inward.
Common causes:
• congenital cartilage weakness
• previous nose surgeries
• age-related loss of stability
• very narrow nose shape
How do people with this condition recognize ballooning?
Common symptoms:
• Difficulty breathing through the nose when inhaling
• Symptoms worsening during exercise or deep breathing
• Feeling of a “stuffy nose” without a cold
• Visible flaring of the nostrils
How can ballooning be treated?
The correction is performed on an individual basis:
• Stabilization of the nasal septum with cartilage supports
• Functional rhinoplasty
• Combination with cosmetic rhinoplasty, if necessary
The goal is to achieve a permanently stable nasal septum and unobstructed, natural nasal breathing.
Broad-nosed c)
Wide nose and impaired nasal breathing
A wide nose refers to an anatomical shape of the external nose characterized by a broad nasal base and/or wide nostrils. In addition to aesthetic considerations, this nasal shape may, in some cases, be associated with functional impairment of nasal breathing.
Possible functional causes:
• Anatomical narrowing of the external nasal valves
• Reduced stability of the nostrils, especially during inhalation
• Subjective sensation of difficulty breathing through the nose
• Increased mouth breathing, especially during physical exertion or while sleeping
Medical classification:
Restricted nasal breathing can affect quality of life. Whether a functional disorder is present, and to what extent, varies from person to person and requires evaluation by a specialist.
Treatment Options:
During a medical consultation, we can determine whether functional or functional-aesthetic rhinoplasty is medically appropriate. The goal of such a procedure may be to optimize the structure of the nose and improve nasal breathing. Specific treatment success cannot be guaranteed and depends on individual anatomical conditions.⸻
Nasal valve stenosis
What is nasal valve stenosis?
Nasal valve stenosis is a narrowing of the nasal valve, the narrowest part of the nasal airway.
Even minor changes in this area can significantly impair breathing.
As a patient, you can feel the nasal flap when you come to the narrowing in the front inner section.
Causes of nasal valve stenosis
• Congenital narrowing
• Loss of cartilage stability
• Surgical scarring
• Age-related sagging of the nasal structures
Common symptoms
• Persistent difficulty breathing through the nose
• Symptoms worsening when inhaling
• Mouth breathing
• Feeling of shortness of breath
• Flaring of the nostrils
Treatment of nasal valve stenosis
• Functional nasal surgery
• Stabilization of the nasal valve with cartilage supports
• Restoration of natural nasal width
The goal is to keep the nasal valve permanently open and significantly improve quality of life
Screenshot
Septal dislocation
What is a septal dislocation?
A septal displacement is a shift of the nasal septum at its base away from its normal position, often resulting in a deviation of the septum on the opposite side.
It can significantly impair nasal breathing and affect the external shape of the nose, causing it to appear bulbous and crooked.
What causes a deviated septum?
• Nose injuries or accidents
• Birth trauma
• Growth disorders
• Previous nose surgeries
Possible symptoms
• difficulty breathing on one or both sides
• chronic nasal congestion
• snoring
• visible nasal asymmetry
• feeling of pressure in the nose
How is a deviated septum treated?
• Surgical reduction of the nasal septum
• Stabilization of the septum
• Combined with functional or cosmetic correction, if necessary
The goal is a straight, stable nasal septum and unobstructed nasal breathing.
Conclusion:
This article provides a brief overview of the most common types of medically relevant nasal tips, the correction of which not only improves nasal breathing but also generally has an impact on aesthetics.
One could almost say, “Kill two birds with one stone”
If this is not desired, the patient must be informed of this.
One positive aspect is that, along with the desired aesthetic improvement, nasal breathing also improves.
Given the complexity of nasal anatomy and its impact on respiratory function, you should consider the surgeon’s training and experience in ENT surgery when making your choice, as this will help you make the right decision.