Large nose – individual features of the ratio of length, width, height of the outer nose, in which it looks disproportionate to other parts of the face. Too big a nose violates the harmony of facial features, attracts attention and causes ridicule of others, contributes to the development of complexes in relation to its owner’s appearance. At the same time, a large external nose protects a person to a greater extent from the penetration of airborne infection pathogens and allergens into the respiratory tract. If an individual is dissatisfied with the size and shape of the nose, nasal plastic surgery (rhinoplasty) comes to the rescue.
General information
The characteristics of a large nose are very individual and depend not only on its length and width, but also on proportionality and balance with the rest of the facial features. If a person’s face is naturally endowed with small eyes, lips, thin eyebrows, then even a nose of medium anatomical size will seem like a “giant”.
The shape is determined by the ratio of a number of its structural components: the base, root, back, tip; size – length, width and height of individual parts of the nose. Infinite combinations of these quantities create a variety of variants of the structure of the organ.
The variability of size and shape depends on age: over the years, the shape and ratio with the facial skeleton become different, besides, against the background of general ptosis of the soft tissues of the face and sagging skin, it looks much larger and larger. On average, the growth and development of the nose continues until the age of 18-21. The shape and size are also influenced by hereditary and national characteristics. European peoples have high and thin noses, Mongolian – flat and wide.
Anthropological parameters
The length of the ideal nose is 1/3 of the length of the face, the width does not exceed 1/3 of its length, the height is about 1.5 times its width. With a classic profile, the angle is 30 °, the fracture at the bridge of the nose should not be too deep.
The percentage of width to its length is the so-called nasal pointer, which can vary from 60% to 110%. The nasal pointer is widely used in anthropology and has the following variants:
- leptorinia – up to 69.9% characterizes a high narrow nose;
- mesorhinia – from 70% to 84.9% is typical for medium-sized;
- hamerinia – from 85% to 99.9% is observed with a low broad form;
- hyperhammerinia – a pointer above 100% occurs in owners of a large.
According to this classification, leptorinia is characteristic of the peoples of European groups and Eskimos; hamerinia is found among African, Australian nationalities, etc. Anthropologists suggest that the size of the nose is of adaptive importance for performing the most important respiratory function.
Physiological features of a large nose
A big nose often seriously complicates the life of its owner, introducing disharmony into the appearance, becoming the subject of ridicule in childhood and a source of complexes in adulthood. However, the undoubted advantage is that it is able to protect its owner from the penetration of infectious pathogens and allergens into the body. American researchers have experimentally confirmed that a large nose is a kind of barrier that prevents the penetration of microorganisms into the nasopharynx, as well as plant pollen that causes allergic rhinitis (hay fever).
Owners of a large, protruding nose inhale 7% less dust particles and bacteria from the air than owners of a normal or medium size. Also, a large nose protects the oral cavity from the ingress of microorganisms inhaled by it.
And, nevertheless, not all owners are ready to reckon with its merits. Especially often, women resort to reducing the size.
Plastic correction of the shape and size of the nose
Operations to change the shape and size are called rhinoplasty. With the help of plastic correction, you can make a wide nose narrower, a long nose shorter, i.e. recreate proportions that are in harmony with the appearance of a person.
Rhinoplasty, carried out in order to correct a nose that is large in size or disproportionate in shape, involves reducing its bone-cartilaginous framework. Access to the frame is made by making incisions on the inner surface of the nostrils. During the operation, the “extra” bone and cartilage tissues are removed, the resulting defect is then closed by the convergence of the bones of the nose. If necessary, a part of the skin in the area of the nostrils is removed. With an isolated reduction of the wings, the nasal septum and the bony structures of the nose are not affected.
If the patient has difficulty breathing, at the same time, the position of the nasal septum is changed – septorinoplasty. If the new shape or size comes into dissonance with the rest of the face (chin, cheeks, etc.), there is a need to change the appearance of these parts of the face, which can be performed simultaneously with rhinoplasty or separately in the future.
Rhinoplasty to correct the shape and size of a large nose is performed under general anesthesia and takes 1-2 hours.
During the recovery period, it is necessary to protect the operation area from injury. With expertly performed rhinoplasty, the risk of postoperative complications is minimal.
