Nasal Cavity Anatomy and Functions

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Questions and Answers

Where do the sphenoid sinuses open into the nasal cavity?

Spheno-ethmoidal recess (correct)

Posterior choana

Hiatus Semilunaris

Inferior meatus

What is the primary innervation for the ethmoid sinuses?

Ophthalmic nerve

Nasociliary nerve (correct)

Infraorbital nerve

Maxillary nerve

Which artery provides the blood supply for the maxillary sinuses?

Greater palatine artery

Alveolar arteries (correct)

Anterior ethmoid artery

Posterior ethmoid artery

What condition can develop when an upper respiratory tract infection spreads to the sinuses?

Sinusitis Signup and view all the answers

Which nerve is associated with potential toothache due to inflammation in the maxillary sinus?

Maxillary nerve Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary sensory function of the nasal cavity?

Responsible for smell Signup and view all the answers

Which type of epithelium lines the vestibule of the nasal cavity?

Stratified squamous epithelium Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of goblet cells found in the nasal cavity?

To secrete mucus Signup and view all the answers

What structure divides the nasal cavity into two equal sections?

Septum Signup and view all the answers

Where are olfactory cells located in the nasal cavity?

In the olfactory region Signup and view all the answers

Which structure is NOT part of the respiratory system along with the nasal cavity?

Trachea Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the vibrissae found in the nasal cavity's vestibule?

Filtering particles from inhaled air Signup and view all the answers

What anatomical structure separates the nasal and oral cavities?

Hard palate Signup and view all the answers

Which bones contribute to the roof of the nasal cavity?

Frontal and Ethmoid bone Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the paranasal sinuses?

Humidifying the inspired air Signup and view all the answers

How many paranasal sinuses are identified in relation to the bones around the nasal cavity?

Four Signup and view all the answers

What type of epithelium lines the paranasal sinuses?

Ciliated pseudostratified epithelium Signup and view all the answers

What is a function attributed to the paranasal sinuses?

Increasing resonance of the voice Signup and view all the answers

Which structure closes off the connection between the nasal cavity and the throat during eating?

Soft palate Signup and view all the answers

Which bones are part of the posterior border (back wall) of the nasal cavity?

Maxilla, Palatine, Sphenoid Signup and view all the answers

Which sinuses are located within the frontal bone?

Frontal sinuses Signup and view all the answers

What role do the openings of the paranasal sinuses play?

They facilitate drainage into the nasal cavity. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Nasal Cavity

The nasal cavity is the interior of the nose
The nasal cavity is part of the respiratory system:
- Paranasal Sinuses
- Oral Cavity
- Pharynx
- Larynx
Vestibule:
- Area just posterior to nostrils
- Lined with stratified squamous epithelium
- Contains vibrissae: Stiff hairs covered in thick mucus
Respiratory Region:
- Begins at end of vestibule and encompasses the entire nasal cavity except for olfactory region
- Lined with ciliated pseudostratified epithelium
- Contains goblet cells that secrete mucus
Olfactory Region:
- Located at top of nasal cavity near septum
- Lined with olfactory cells and olfactory mucosa
- Contains cilia with olfactory receptor proteins responsible for sense of smell
Walls and Boundaries of the Nasal Cavity:
- Medial Wall: Forms the septum dividing the nasal cavity in two equal sections
  - Upper & Lower parts formed by perpendicular plate of ethmoid bone and vomer
  - Lower front part formed by septum cartilage
- Superior Border: Roof of nasal cavity formed by the nasal bones, lower part of frontal bone, cribiform plate, sphenoid bone
- Anterior Border: Lateral wall formed by lower parts of nasal bones, cartilage, outer nose, nostrils
- Posterior Border: Bordered by maxilla, ethmoid bone, palatine bone, sphenoid bone, lacrimal bone, and inferior concha
- Floor: Hard palate formed by palatine process of maxilla and palatine bones

The Paranasal Sinuses

These are four air-filled extensions of the nasal cavity:
- Maxillary
- Frontal
- Sphenoid
- Ethmoid
Lined with ciliated pseudostratified epithelium and mucus-secreting goblet cells.
Function:
- Lightening the weight of the head
- Supporting immune defense of the nasal cavity
- Humidifying inspired air
- Increasing resonance of the voice
Frontal Sinuses:
- Two sinuses located within the frontal bone
- Triangular in shape
- Drain via the frontonasal duct
- Opens onto the hiatus semilunaris in the middle meatus of the nasal cavity
- Innervation: Supraorbital nerve
- Blood Supply: Anterior ethmoid artery
Sphenoid Sinuses:
- Located within the sphenoid bone
- Open into the nasal cavity in the spheno-ethmoidal recess
- Innervation: Posterior ethmoidal nerve and branches of the maxillary nerve
- Blood supply: Pharyngeal branches of the maxillary arteries
Ethmoid Sinuses:
- Three sinuses within the ethmoid bone
- Anterior: Opens onto the hiatus semilunaris
- Middle: Opens onto the lateral wall of the middle meatus
- Posterior: Opens onto the lateral wall of the superior meatus
- Innervation: Anterior & Posterior ethmoid branches of the nasociliary nerve and maxillary nerve
- Blood Supply: Anterior & Posterior ethmoid arteries
Maxillary Sinuses:
- Largest sinuses located laterally and inferior to the nasal cavity
- Drain into the nasal cavity via the hiatus semilunaris
- Potential pathway for infection spread
- Innervation: Branches of the alveolar nerve and infraorbital nerve
- Blood Supply: Branches of alveolar arteries, infraorbital arteries and greater palatine arteries

Clinical Relevance of the Paranasal Sinuses

Sinusitis: Inflammation and pain in the sinuses caused by spread of upper respiratory tract infections
Toothache: Inflammation of the maxillary sinus can present as toothache due to shared nerve supply with the maxillary nerve

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Description

Explore the intricate anatomy of the nasal cavity, including its regions, structures, and functions within the respiratory system. This quiz covers key features such as the vestibule, respiratory, and olfactory regions, as well as the walls and boundaries that define them.