Commentary on: Anatomic and Anthropometric Analysis of 72 Lower Lateral Nasal Cartilages From Fresh Persian (Iranian) Cadavers

Abstract

Dr. Farahvash and his coauthors1 have provided us with a study of Persian nasal anatomy, particularly the lower lateral cartilages (LLC). The authors understandably wish that a distinction be made between Persian and Middle Eastern ethnicity; the umbrella term Middle Eastern commonly refers to people of Arabic, Turkish, North African, and Persian descent. Common anatomical characteristics of patients in the larger Middle Eastern group have been published by Daniel2-4 and also by Rohrich and Ghavami.5 These features often include a high dorsum, occasionally a thick skin envelope, an ill-defined or small tip (weak or small middle/medial cartilages), and wide nasal bones. It should not be surprising that Persian noses might be slightly different from those of patients in other Middle Eastern groups. The authors want their readers to appreciate the unique Persian anatomy in preparation for surgical maneuvers that provide better results. This is the goal of all anatomical and clinical studies of ethnic groups,6-8 with the understanding that some patients may wish to retain some or all of their ethnic characteristics.9 The study is a highly-detailed analysis of the LLC, including their relationship to certain external skin markings (eg, the rim). The authors are then able to compare Persian (Iranian) nasal features with the parameters of other ethnic groups and …