Anatomy of the Nasal Cavity

Nasal Organ

• The nasal organ is a special organ for smell and air intake, composed of a triangular framework of bone and cartilage covered by skin and lined by a mucous membrane.
• The nasal organ has two openings called nostrils.

Nostrils

• The nostrils contain tiny hairs called cilia that filter out dust and other particles present in the air, protecting the nasal passage and other regions of the respiratory tract.

Nasal Cavities

• The nasal cavities are two spaces located immediately inside the nostrils, between the roof of the mouth and the cranium.
• The nasal cavities are separated from each other by a partition called the nasal septum, which is formed of bone covered by mucous membrane.

Conchae

• The lateral (side) walls of each nasal cavity have three projections called conchae (superior, middle, and inferior).