The human nose is a prominent and complex structure serving both respiratory and aesthetic functions. While attention often focuses on the bridge or the tip, the small column of tissue dividing the two openings is frequently unacknowledged. This anatomy, situated at the base of the nose, provides a clearer understanding of nasal structure and overall facial appearance.
The Specific Anatomical Term
The narrow strip of skin and underlying soft tissue separating the nostrils is formally known as the columella nasi, or simply the columella. This Latin term means “little column of the nose.” The columella forms a central pillar extending from the tip of the nose down to the upper lip.
The columella’s primary function is to provide a dividing wall between the two nares (the external openings of the nasal passages). Visually, its position helps define the overall shape and projection of the nasal tip. When viewed in profile, the relationship between the columella and the outer rim of the nostril, called the alar rim, creates a subtle aesthetic contour.
What Supports the Columella
Beneath the outer layer of skin, the columella is primarily supported by the medial crura, which are curved extensions of the lower lateral cartilages. These cartilages meet precisely in the midline, creating the necessary rigidity for the structure. This internal framework dictates the final shape and height of the nasal tip.
The columella sits directly in front of the caudal, or lower, edge of the nasal septum. The nasal septum is the deeper wall of bone and cartilage that divides the internal nasal cavity into left and right sides. The medial crura act as the foundation for the entire lower third of the nose.
Surgical and Cosmetic Considerations
Rhinoplasty Focus
The columella is a significant focus in cosmetic and reconstructive procedures, particularly rhinoplasty. Surgeons pay close attention to the columellar show, which is the amount of the columella visible when the face is viewed from the side. Ideally, the show should be subtle, with no more than two to four millimeters of tissue visible below the alar rim.
An excessive display, often called a “hanging columella,” can make the nose appear droopy. This is corrected by trimming or repositioning the underlying cartilage.
Septum Piercing
The columella is also the target area for a popular body modification known as the septum piercing. Piercers aim for the “sweet spot,” a thin, fleshy area just in front of the main septal cartilage. This location is less painful and heals faster than piercing the dense cartilage itself. Healing time for a columella piercing ranges from two to three months up to six to eight months for complete recovery.