54 Questions
What is the only externally visible part of the respiratory system?
Nose
Which structure attaches the nose to the forehead?
Bridge
What are the anterior (external) openings of the nose called?
Nares or nostrils
Which structure is medial to each nostril?
Nasal septum
Which structure is lateral to each nostril?
Ala
What forms the floor of the nasal cavity?
Hard (bony) palate
Which bone is located superiorly in the medial wall (nasal septum) of the nasal cavity?
Perpendicular plate of ethmoid bone
From which direction is the roof of the nasal cavity formed?
From posterior to anterior
The posterior part of the medial wall (nasal septum) is formed by which bone?
Vomer bone
What is the medial wall (nasal septum) of the nasal cavity covered by?
Mucoperiosteum
Which structure separates the nasal cavity from the cranial cavity?
Cribriform plate of ethmoid bone
Where is the sella turcica located?
Sphenoid bone
What is located just below the superior turbinate?
Superior nasal meatus
Which structure connects the middle ear with the nasopharynx?
Auditory (eustachian) tube
Which part of the nasal cavity houses the olfactory nerves?
Cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone
Which bone is part of the upper framework of the nose?
Nasal bones
What is the function of the inferior concha (turbinate)?
Increases the surface area of the nasal cavity
Where is the adenoid (posterior nasopharyngeal tonsil) located?
At the junction of nasopharynx and oropharynx
What forms the lower part of the nose?
Plates of hyaline cartilage
What separates the right and left halves of the nasal cavity?
Nasal septum
What is the function of the uvula?
Assists in the articulation of sounds
What is the boundary of the posterior part of the nasal cavity?
Posterior nares (choanae)
Which of the following is not part of the nasal cavity?
Pharyngeal wall
Which structures can be found on the lateral wall?
Three horizontal bony projections
What is the mucous membrane covering on the lateral wall?
The superior, middle, & inferior conchae
What is another name for the conchae on the lateral wall?
Turbinates
Which conchae is NOT found on the lateral wall?
Anterior conchae
How many conchae are found on the lateral wall?
Three
Which of the following is NOT a function of the nasal cavity?
Providing structural support to the face
What specific role does the olfactory epithelium in the nasal cavity play?
Involvement in the sense of smell
What connects the nasal cavity to the sinuses?
Relatively small apertures
What is primarily responsible for draining the sinuses?
Movement of cilia
Which of the following bones contain sinuses?
Frontal bone
Where is the olfactory sensory epithelium located?
Top of the nasal cavity
Where are the frontal sinuses located relative to the orbital part of the skull?
Above the orbits
Which sinuses are divided into anterior, middle, and posterior groups?
Ethmoidal sinuses
Which of the following is not a function of the paranasal sinuses?
Assist in hearing
Where are the maxillary sinuses located?
Within the body of the maxilla
Through which structure do the frontal sinuses open into the middle meatus?
Infundibulum
Which sinuses are located under the orbits in the upper jaw bone?
Maxillary sinuses
What forms the roof of the maxillary sinuses?
Floor of the orbit
Which teeth roots can project into the floor of the maxillary sinuses?
Roots of 1st and 2nd premolars and the 3rd molar
What separates the two frontal sinuses from each other?
Cartilaginous septum
Through which structure do the maxillary sinuses open into the middle meatus?
Hiatus semilunaris
Which technique is the most reliable for determining if the sinuses are obstructed?
CT scanning
Which bones contain the maxillary sinuses?
Maxillary bones
Which imaging modality is best for diagnosing sinusitis?
CT scanning
Where are the ethmoid sinuses located?
Ethmoid bone
Which characteristic best describes paranasal sinus cavities?
Hollow, air-filled spaces
Which nerve supplies the sphenoidal sinuses?
Posterior ethmoidal nerve
Where do the sphenoidal sinuses open into?
Sphenoethmoidal recess
Which sinus is located within the zygomatic process?
Maxillary sinus
What is one of the functions of the sphenoidal sinuses?
Lightening the skull
Which bone contains the sphenoidal sinuses?
Sphenoid bone
Study Notes
Nose
- The nose is the only externally visible part of the respiratory system
- Composed of bony and cartilaginous framework
- Formed above by nasal bones, frontal processes of maxillae, and nasal part of frontal bone
- Formed below by plates of hyaline cartilage, including upper and lower nasal cartilages and the septal cartilage
Nasal Cavity
- Extends from the external nares to the posterior nares (choanae)
- Divided into right and left halves by the nasal septum
- Each half has a floor, roof, lateral wall, and medial wall (septum)
Nasal Cavity Structure
- Floor separates the nasal cavity from the oral cavity and is formed by the hard palate
- Roof is narrow and formed by the body of sphenoid, cribriform plate of ethmoid bone, frontal bone, and nasal bone and cartilage
- Medial wall (nasal septum) is osteocartilaginous, lying in the midline, and covered by the mucoperiosteum
- Lateral wall shows three horizontal bony projections, covered by mucous membrane, the superior, middle, and inferior conchae (turbinates)
Functions of the Nose and Nasal Cavity
- Conditions the air (warming, humidifying, and filtering) before it reaches the lungs
- Helps to produce resonant sounds for speech
- Houses the olfactory region, responsible for the sense of smell
- Plays a role in the aesthetics of the face
Paranasal Sinuses
- Air-filled cavities within the bones of the skull surrounding the nasal cavity
- Functions: lighten the skull, act as resonant chambers for speech, and help to warm and moisten the air
- Four types: frontal, ethmoid, maxillary, and sphenoid
Frontal Sinus
- Located within the frontal bone
- Forms the brow ridges and the upper part of the nasal cavity
Ethmoid Sinus
- Located in the ethmoid bone
- Consists of multiple air-filled cells between the eye and the nose, divided into three groups: anterior, posterior, and middle
Maxillary Sinus
- Located within the body of the maxilla
- Pyramidal in shape, with the base forming the lateral wall of the nose and the apex lying in the zygomatic process of the maxilla
- Roof is formed by the floor of the orbit
- Floor is formed by the alveolar border
- Opens into the middle meatus through the hiatus semilunaris
Sphenoidal Sinus
- Located within the body of the sphenoid bone
- Two in number, opening into the sphenoethmoidal recess
- Supplied by the posterior ethmoidal nerve
Diagnosis of Paranasal Sinuses Defect
- Diagnosis can be made using X-ray and Computed Tomography (CT)
- CT scanning is painless, noninvasive, and accurate, and is the most reliable imaging technique for determining if the sinuses are obstructed
Explore the structure and composition of the nose and nasal cavity, from bony and cartilaginous framework to nasal septum and posterior nares.
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