Nose and Sinuses Anatomy Quiz

Study Notes

Anatomy and Function of the Nose

Prominent facial structure located inferior and medial to the eyes.
Involved in respiration and olfaction (sense of smell).

External Nose

Consists of a dorsum (immobile) and apex (mobile).
Anterior openings called nares (nostrils) are separated by the septum.
Vestibule: cavity opposite alar cartilage, lined by vibrissae (nose hairs).
Atrium: cavity superior to the vestibule, lined with respiratory mucosa (pseudostratified columnar epithelium with cilia).

Nasal Cavity Structure

Positioned superior to the oral cavity and inferior and medial to the orbits.
Lined with pseudostratified columnar epithelium containing mucous-producing cells to trap microorganisms.
Olfactory epithelium present around the cribriform plate in the superior part.

Walls of the Nasal Cavity

Anterior: Piriform aperture formed by nasal bones and maxilla; the anterior nasal spine is from fused maxillae.
Posterior: Choanae connects to the nasopharynx.
Superior: Composed of nasal bones, frontal bone, cribriform plate (ethmoid), and body of sphenoid.
Inferior: Hard palate.
Lateral: Involves maxilla, ethmoid (superior and middle nasal conchae), inferior nasal conchae, and palatine bones.

Nasal Conchae and Meatus

Each concha (curved structure) encloses a meatus (passage).
Superior meatus drains sphenoidal and posterior ethmoidal sinuses.
Middle meatus drains anterior and middle ethmoidal, maxillary, and frontal sinuses.
Inferior meatus drains the nasolacrimal duct.

Nasal Septum

Comprises the medial wall of the nasal cavity; often deviates to one side.
Made of septal cartilage, perpendicular plate (ethmoid), and vomer.

Olfactory System and Innervation

Sensory innervation for olfaction provided by CN I (olfactory nerve).
General sensation via ophthalmic and maxillary nerves.
Blood supply from branches of three major arteries: ophthalmic, maxillary, and facial.

Paranasal Sinuses

Extensions of the nasal cavity, lined with respiratory epithelium, with variable morphology.
Functions include lightening skull bones, resonating sound, and providing mucous to the nasal cavity.

Frontal Sinus

Paired with asymmetrical shapes, located superior to the nasal cavity.
Rudimentary at birth; develops significantly by ages 7-8.
Drains into the middle meatus via frontonasal duct and may have septae dividing compartments.

Sphenoidal Sinuses

Large and irregularly shaped, paired, located in the body of the sphenoid.
Can have internal septae and drains into the superior meatus.

Ethmoidal Sinuses

Vary in number; situated within the lateral masses of the ethmoid bone.
Divided into anterior air cells (middle meatus), middle air cells (middle meatus), and posterior air cells (superior meatus).

Maxillary Sinuses

Paired and located within the body of the maxilla with variable size, growing with age.
Pyramidal shape, separated into compartments by septae.
Floor closely associated with posterior maxillary teeth and drains into the middle meatus via maxillary ostium.

Description

Test your knowledge on the anatomy of the nose, sinuses, orbits, and pterygopalatine fossa. This quiz will assess your understanding of the cranial bones contributing to these structures and their physiological functions. Prepare to analyze diagrams, specimens, and spatial relationships within the craniofacial context.