Embryology

The developmental precursors of the nose are the neural crest cells, which commence their caudad migration toward the midface around the fourth week of gestation (see Image 1). Two nasal placodes develop inferiorly in a symmetrical fashion. Nasal pits divide the placodes into medial and lateral nasal processes. The medial processes become the septum, philtrum, and premaxilla of the nose; whereas the lateral processes form the sides of the nose. Inferior to the nasal complex, the stomodeum, or future mouth, forms.

Nasal embryology.

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Nasal embryology.