Alar width: the width of the base of the nose
Quick facts
- Definition
- Distance between the most lateral points of the wings of the nose (alare).
- Usual comparison
- With the intercanthal distance: in a proportional face, the two are generally close.
- Use
- Describing the nasal base and building the nasal index.
- Limit
- It varies between populations; the measurement guides but does not decide.
Alar width is the distance between the two most lateral points of the wings of the nose, the alare. It describes the width of the nasal base. It is part of the nasal index and of reading the harmony of the midface.
How is it measured?
With calipers or a ruler on a standardized frontal photo, from one alare to the other, with the face at rest and the head straight. If a photo is the source, camera distance and lens interfere, so always use a scale reference. The photo criteria are in standardized clinical photography.
How does it compare with intercanthal distance?
In the rule of fifths, the face is divided into five vertical parts, and the eye takes up one fifth, with the intercanthal distance equal to one fifth. Generally, alar width is close to that distance. This relationship is a reading reference, not a mandatory rule.
| Relationship | Reading |
|---|---|
| Alar width close to the intercanthal distance | Base proportional to the space between the eyes |
| Greater than the intercanthal distance | Relatively wide base |
| Less than the intercanthal distance | Relatively narrow base |
The ranges vary between populations and face types. Using the measurement to "correct" a face toward a single standard ignores diversity. Nose anatomy calls for vascular caution: see nose anatomy for injectables.
Frequently asked questions
What is alar width?
It is the distance between the most lateral points of the wings of the nose, measured at the base. It is compared with the distance between the inner corners of the eyes to assess the proportion of the midface.