Cartilage in the face.

Cartilaginous influence in the face begins with the formation of the early chondrocranium and continues into the postnatal life with the persisting derivatives of the chondrocranium, the cranial base synchondroses and the nasal septum, and with the secondary cartilage of the mandibular condyle. A review of available data indicates that the cartilages should be considered as integral parts of a holistic system, and that their role within this system most likely diminishes with age.