Nasal Cavity Anatomy

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Questions and Answers

What function do the nasal conchae primarily serve?

To increase airflow capacity

To promote the sense of taste

To filter out all airborne pathogens

To enhance air warming and humidification (correct)

How is mucus in the nasal cavity primarily moved?

By inhalation pressure

By ciliary motion (correct)

By gravity only

By muscle contractions

What is rhinitis primarily characterized by?

Increased sense of smell

Dry nasal passages

Frequent headaches

Nasal inflammation and a runny nose (correct)

Which condition is characterized by soft growths developing on the lining of the nose or sinuses?

Nasal polyps Signup and view all the answers

What serious issue does the 'danger triangle of the face' refer to?

Potential spread of infections to the brain Signup and view all the answers

Which artery is NOT a part of the blood supply to the nasal cavity?

Subclavian artery Signup and view all the answers

What type of nerve fibers are responsible for the general sensory innervation of the nasal cavity?

Branches of the trigeminal nerve Signup and view all the answers

Where does the venous drainage of the anterior nasal cavity primarily lead?

Facial vein Signup and view all the answers

Which autonomic component causes constriction of blood vessels in the mucosa of the nasal cavity?

Sympathetic innervation Signup and view all the answers

Which lymph nodes do the anterior third of the nasal cavity primarily drain into?

Submaxillary nodes Signup and view all the answers

The nasociliary nerve is a branch of which cranial nerve?

Trigeminal nerve (V) Signup and view all the answers

What function do the two nasal cavities perform for the respiratory tract?

Conditioning the air Signup and view all the answers

Which artery is responsible for supplying the vestibule of the nasal cavity?

Superior labial artery Signup and view all the answers

What structure divides the nasal cavity into two separate cavities?

Nasal septum Signup and view all the answers

Which bone is considered the most important in the structure of the nasal cavity?

Ethmoid Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following arteries is a branch of the external carotid artery supplying the nose?

Sphenopalatine artery Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the nasal cavity in the respiratory system?

Providing a passage for inhaled air Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT part of the 12 cranial bones contributing to the nasal cavity structure?

Zygomatic bone Signup and view all the answers

What are the apertures called that connect the nasal cavity to the nasopharynx?

Choanae Signup and view all the answers

Which nasal structure is primarily responsible for draining mucus?

Paranasal sinuses Signup and view all the answers

How many nasal cavities are formed by the nasal septum?

Two Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Nasal Region

The Nasal Cavity is a large, air-filled space within the face.
The Nasal Septum divides the cavity into two fossae which are the continuation of the two nostrils
The nasal cavity is the uppermost part of the respiratory system providing a passage for air from the nostrils to the nasopharynx.
The nasal cavities sit within the external nose and the adjacent skull.
Posteriorly, the cavities communicate with the nasopharynx by two apertures called choanae.
The nasal cavity is composed of 12 cranial bones:
- Paired: Nasal, Maxilla, Palatine, Lacrimal
- Unpaired: Ethmoid, Sphenoid, Frontal, Vomer
The Ethmoid bone is the most important element of the nasal cavity as it forms the roof and walls and contains ethmoidal cells (paranasal sinuses)
Mnemonics: "Nerdy Medical Students are often Very PaLE" to remember nasal bones: Nasal, Maxilla, Sphenoid, Vomer, Palatine, Lacrimal, Ethmoid.

Blood Supply to the Nasal Cavity

Arteries branching from internal carotid and external carotid provide blood supply
Internal Carotid Arteries:
- Anterior and posterior ethmoid arteries from the ophthalmic artery.
External Carotid Arteries:
- Sphenopalatine, greater palatine, superior labial, and angular arteries.
Specific named arteries of the nose:
- Sphenopalatine artery and greater palatine artery (branches of the maxillary artery)
- Anterior and posterior ethmoidal arteries (branches of the ophthalmic artery)
- Septal branches of the superior labial artery (branch of the facial artery)

Venous Drainage of the Nasal Cavity

Follows the same pathways as the arteries.
Maxillary branches drain into the cavernous sinus or the pterygoid plexus.
Veins of the anterior nasal cavity drain into the facial vein.

Nerve Supply of the Nasal Cavity

Olfactory nerve: responsible for the sense of smell, microscopic fibers from the olfactory bulb through the cribriform plate to the top of the nasal cavity.
Trigeminal Nerve (V1 & V2): for general sensory innervation.
- Nasociliary Nerve (V1) - Anterior Ethmoid nerve
- Posterior nasal branches of Maxillary nerve (V2)
Autonomic fibers: control blood vessel constriction and mucus gland secretion.
- Sympathetic fibers constrict blood vessels.
- Parasympathetic fibers regulate secretion (originating from the facial nerve).

Lymph Drainage of the Nasal Cavity

External lateral portion of the nose drains into the submaxillary nodes.
Anterior third drains into the submaxillary nodes.
Posterior two-thirds and the ethmoid sinuses drain into the retropharyngeal and superior deep cervical nodes.

Functions of the Nasal Cavity

Air conditioning:
- Warming/Cooling: nasal conchae (turbinates) warm or cool air to within 1 degree of body temperature.
- Humidifying: moistens air
- Filtering: nasal hair and mucus trap dust and particulate matter.
Sense of smell: housed in the nasal cavity.
Taste sensation: posterior communication with the mouth via the choanae enhances taste.

Diseases of the Nasal Cavity

Viral, bacterial, fungal infections
Nasal cavity tumors: benign and malignant
Inflammations of the nasal mucosa
Other problems:
- Deviated septum: shifting of the nasal septum.
- Nasal polyps: soft growths on the nasal lining
- Nosebleeds
- Rhinitis: inflammation of the nose and sinuses (sometimes caused by allergies)
- Nasal fractures (broken nose)
- Common cold
- Sinonasal tumors
- Nasal irrigation
- Danger triangle of the face

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Description

Explore the structure and function of the nasal cavity in this quiz. Learn about its composition, the nasal septum, and the ethmoid bone's crucial role within the respiratory system. Test your knowledge on the blood supply and associated mnemonics for the nasal bones.