Frontal process of the maxilla: the bridge from nose to forehead
- Highlighted area
Quick facts
- Definition
- Bony plate of the maxilla that rises beside the nose and articulates with the frontal bone and the nasal bone.
- Location
- Lateral wall of the nose, between the piriform aperture and the medial corner of the eye.
- Function
- Forms the lateral wall of the nasal cavity and supports the nasal bone, helping to form the bony structure of the dorsum.
- Relevance in HOF
- Helps in reading the width of the bony base of the nose and the nasal root area, where there are important vessels.
The frontal process of the maxilla is a bony plate that leaves the body of the maxilla and rises along the side of the nose until it meets the frontal bone. It works as a bridge between the middle and upper thirds of the face and is part of the skeleton that supports the nose from the sides.
Where is it and what does it articulate with?
It arises from the upper part of the body of the maxilla, beside the piriform aperture, the pear-shaped bony opening where the nose fits. From there it rises toward the inner corner of the eye. At the top, it articulates with the frontal bone; in front, with the nasal bone; behind, with the lacrimal bone.
| Articulation | With what | What it forms |
|---|---|---|
| Superior | Frontal bone | Connection with the glabella and nasal root area |
| Anterior | Nasal bone | Side of the bony nasal dorsum |
| Posterior | Lacrimal bone | Part of the medial border of the orbit |
| Inferior | Body of the maxilla | Continuity with the base of the nose and the cheek |
On its lateral surface runs the anterior lacrimal crest, a palpable ridge near the inner corner of the eye. It is a reference for locating the lacrimal sac and guides anyone studying the medial canthus region.
What role does it play in the structure of the nose?
The nose has a bony part, above, and a cartilaginous part, below. The frontal process of the maxilla, together with the nasal bones, makes up the bony part. The nasal cartilages rest on this base and, together, define the shape of the nasal dorsum.
This matters because the width of the bony base is a characteristic of the patient that product injection does not change. Two patients with the same skin contour may have different bony bases, and the clinical assessment needs to separate what is bone from what is soft tissue.
What should HOF keep in mind about the area?
The root of the nose and the side of the dorsum are vascular risk areas. Branches that communicate with the circulation of the eye region pass through them, such as the dorsal nasal artery and the angular artery. The bone itself is not the target of an aesthetic procedure, but it provides the supporting plane over which the soft tissues move.
Also called: frontal apophysis of the maxilla, frontal branch of the maxilla.
Frequently asked questions
What does the frontal process of the maxilla form in the face?
It forms the bony side of the nose, between the piriform aperture and the frontal bone, and part of the medial border of the orbit. It is the structure that supports the nasal bone from the sides.