Nasal valve collapse occurs when the sidewalls of the nasal airway weaken and collapse inward, restricting air passage. This impedes natural breathing, causing a sensation of nasal blockage, particularly during inhalation, which can affect daily activities and sleep quality.
Understanding the Nasal Valve
The nasal valve is the narrowest part of the nasal airway, playing an important role in regulating airflow into the lungs. It consists of two main components: the external nasal valve and the internal nasal valve. The external valve is formed by the nostril rim and the ala. The internal nasal valve is a triangular space bounded by the septum, the lateral nasal wall, and the inferior turbinate.
These structures, composed of cartilage and soft tissues, work together to maintain the airway’s patency. Their angle and rigidity are important for optimizing airflow. Any compromise to their structural integrity or position can reduce the nasal passage’s cross-sectional area, increasing airflow resistance and making nasal breathing difficult.
Structural and Congenital Factors
Nasal valve collapse can stem from inherent structural characteristics of the nose. Weakness in the cartilage that supports the nasal sidewalls is a contributing factor. The lateral nasal cartilage might be naturally thin or lack sufficient rigidity. Similarly, the lower lateral cartilage can be inherently soft, increasing the likelihood of collapse.
An individual’s natural nasal anatomy can also predispose them to this condition. Some people are born with naturally narrow nasal passages. A naturally acute angle of the internal nasal valve can also create a restrictive bottleneck. These anatomical variations compromise the structural support necessary to keep the airway open during breathing. Differences in facial bone structure can also influence the positioning and support of the nasal cartilages.
Acquired Factors
Factors that develop over an individual’s lifetime can also lead to nasal valve collapse. Trauma to the nose, such as fractures, can damage the delicate cartilaginous and soft tissue structures supporting the nasal valve. This damage can result in displacement, weakening, or scarring of the supportive tissues. Even minor injuries can compromise the long-term integrity of the nasal sidewalls.
Previous nasal surgeries are another acquired cause. Procedures like rhinoplasty, performed for cosmetic or functional reasons, can inadvertently weaken or remove supporting cartilage. Over-resection of cartilage or aggressive tissue removal can diminish the structural support of the nasal valve. Scar tissue formation following surgery can also constrict the airway or pull the valve inward.
The natural aging process contributes to the weakening of nasal tissues over time. As individuals age, collagen and elastin fibers that provide strength and elasticity to cartilage and soft tissues degrade. This loss of structural integrity causes nasal cartilages to become more pliable and less resistant to inward collapse during breathing. Inflammatory conditions or chronic infections can also contribute to tissue degradation or scarring, further compromising the stability of the nasal valve.