Dorsal Hump

A dorsal hump is a prominence on the nasal bridge caused by excess bony and cartilaginous tissue, congenital anatomy, or previous trauma. It changes the side profile of the nose and can affect overall facial proportions; in some cases a large dorsal hump is associated with internal structural issues like septal deviation that may contribute to breathing difficulties.

Correction of a dorsal hump is typically achieved through rhinoplasty, using techniques that reshape or remove bone and cartilage while preserving a natural dorsal line; options include conservative rasping, resection with cartilage grafting, dorsal preservation approaches, and controlled osteotomies to reposition the nasal bones. Risks can include contour irregularities, changes in nasal function, or the need for revision, and postoperative recovery commonly involves temporary swelling, splinting, and gradual improvement in appearance over weeks to months.