Anatomical Study

Paul O'Keeffe investigated the anatomy of the columella base and membranous septum during 1989. The study was carried out at the Sydney Morgue in Glebe.

Young cadavers were found to have on each side a relatively large pyramidal-shaped muscle arising from a fibrous layer on the anterior surface of the orbicularis oris muscle and inserting into the medial surface of the ipsilateral footplate of the columella cartilage. This muscle may be called the superficial depressor septi muscle. The muscle appeared to be smaller in older cadavers who had a short distance between the foot plates and the orbicularis oris muscle. The muscle would appear to be the functional tether between the columella and the lip.

The membranous septum was resected and examined histologically. It was stained for elastin revealing a rich elastic fibre content. The elastic fibres are arranged primarily in one direction and their orientation would protrude the columella and nose tip after retrusion caused by contraction of the superficial depressor septi muscle. The elasticised mucous membrane covers the caudal margin of the septal cartilage.

Elastic fibres are stained black

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