Updated Anatomy of the Dermocartilaginous Ligament of the Nose

In Brief Pitanguy conducted a series of anatomic studies on the dermocartilaginous ligament of the nose. However, information on its structure is as yet insufficient. In addition, some of the histologic findings described by Pitanguy are controversial. The present study was undertaken to clarify the anatomy of the dermocartilaginous ligament. Sixteen cadaver noses were examined macroscopically and histologically to determine the presence, origin, insertion, composition, and relationship of the dermocartilaginous ligament with surrounding structures. There was no direct connection between the dermocartilaginous ligaments and dorsal nasal skin. This structure originated from the deep layer of the transverse nasalis muscle and terminated at the caudal edge of the septal cartilage and orbicularis oris muscle in some cases. Our histologic findings were incompatible with the use of the term ligament and demonstrated that it was in fact a fascia. Unlike Pitanguy's findings, no muscle fibers or chondrocytes were identified within the dermocartilaginous ligament. A cadaver study demonstrated that the dermocartilaginous ligament of the nose arose from the deep portion of the transverse nasalis muscle and terminated at the caudal end of the septal cartilage, not in the dorsal nasal skin as previously described.