Tensile biomechanical properties of human nasal septal cartilage.

Background: The biomechanical properties of human septal cartilage have yet to be fully defined and thereby limits our ability to compare tissue-engineered constructs to native tissue. In this study, we analyzed the tensile properties of human nasal septal cartilage with respect to axis of tension, age group, and gender.

Methods: Fifty-five tensile tests were run on human septal specimens obtained from 28 patients. Samples obtained in the vertical and anterior-posterior (both above and within the maxillary crest) axes were subjected to equilibrium and dynamic tensile testing.

Results: The average values for strength, failure strain, equilibrium modulus and dynamic modulus were not found to be significantly different with respect to axis of tension testing, age group, or gender. Tensile results for septal cartilage were as follows: equilibrium modulus 3.01 +/- 0.39 MPa, dynamic modulus 4.99 +/- 0.49 MPa, strength 1.90 +/- 0.24 MPa, and failure strain 0.35 +/- 0.03 mm/mm.

Conclusion: We confirm that septal cartilage has weaker tensile properties compared to articular cartilage and found no difference in strength with respect to age, gender, or axis of tension (isotropic).