Pronasale: the most projected point of the nasal tip
Quick facts
- Definition
- Cephalometric point located at the most anterior part of the tip of the nose, seen in profile.
- Abbreviation
- Pn, used in cephalometric and anthropometric analyses.
- Measurements it enters
- Tip projection, nasolabial angle, nose length and relationship with the upper lip.
- Relevance in facial harmonization
- Starting point for describing the nasal profile objectively and comparably.
The pronasale is the most anterior point of the tip of the nose in profile, that is, the extremity that projects furthest forward. In facial analysis, it is a landmark: a fixed marker from which distances and angles of the nose are measured and the profile is compared between visits.
Where is it?
With the patient seen from the side, looking at the horizon, the pronasale is the most prominent point of the nasal contour. It usually sits on the tip, above the point where the nose meets the upper lip. That last point is the subnasale, another important reference.
Between the two lies the columella, the strip that separates the nostrils. The relationship between pronasale, columella and subnasale describes what happens beneath the tip and how the nose joins the lip.
Which measurements does it appear in?
| Measurement | Points involved | What it describes |
|---|---|---|
| Nasal projection | Pronasale relative to the face | How far the tip projects |
| Nasolabial angle | Columella, subnasale and upper lip | Relationship between nose and lip |
| Nasofacial angle | Nasal dorsum and facial plane | Slope of the dorsum in profile |
| Nose length | Nasion to pronasale | Vertical dimension of the nose |
The nasion, a point at the root of the nose, together with the pronasale, defines the length. Variations in the pronasale change all of these measurements at once, which is why it is treated as the central point of the nasal profile.
Why does it matter for facial harmonization?
The nose is an area of high vascular risk and great aesthetic expectation. Describing the profile with objective points helps the professional document the starting state, align expectations and recognize when the patient's concern calls for referral to another specialty. A clear record of the pronasale and associated measurements also protects the clinic when comparing before and after in the patient record.
When the patient says that "the tip is droopy" or that "the nose is big," the conversation improves if the professional has something to show: the position of the pronasale, the angle with the lip, the relationship with the face. That replaces impression with observation.
Also called: pronasale point, pn, tip of the nose (most anterior point).
Frequently asked questions
What is the pronasale point?
It is the most forward point of the tip of the nose when the face is seen from the side. It serves as a fixed reference for measuring nasal projection and angles.