a common anatomic variation in which the lateral crus of the alar cartilage is rotated cephalically, so that its long axis lies along a line that extends toward the medial canthus of the eye (rather than the lateral canthus); this abnormal position creates a boxy or rounded tip lobule (usually associated with alar wall grooves or so-called parentheses) and thus offering decreased support at the external nasal valve.external nasal valve.
