2.4 The Nasal Cavity and Paranasal Air Sinuses

Question 1

What kind of Epithelium forms the Respiratory Mucosa which lines most of the Nasal Cavity?

Answer 1

Ciliated Pseudostratified Columnar Epithelium

Question 2

What is the roof of the Nasal Cavity lined with?

Answer 2

Olfactory Nerves

Question 3

Which Cranial Nerve innervates the Mucosa which lines the Nasal Cavity?

Answer 3

The Olfactory Nerve (Cranial Nerve I)

This is therefore responsible for the sense of smell

Question 4

Which plate of bone do axons of the Olfactory Nerve pass through to enter the Cranial Cavity?

Answer 4

The Cribriform Plate of the Ethmoid Bone

Question 5

What are the 3 projections which are in the Lateral Wall of the Nasal Cavity?

Answer 5

1. Superior Concha
2. Middle Concha
3. Inferior Concha

Question 6

What is the space inferior to an Concha called?

Answer 6

A Meatus

Question 7

What lies directly underneath the Superior Concha?

Answer 7

The Superior Meatus

Question 8

What lies directly underneath the Middle Concha?

Answer 8

The Middle Meatus

Question 9

What lies directly underneath the Inferior Concha?

Answer 9

The Inferior Meatus

Question 10

What lies directly superior to the Superior Concha?

Answer 10

The Sphenoethmoid Recess

Question 11

The Inferior Concha is a bone by itself, what bone are the Superior and Middle Conchae formed from?

Answer 11

The Ethmoid Bone

Question 12

What Arteries supply the Nose?

Answer 12

Branches of the Ophthalmic Artery (A branch of the Internal Carotid Artery)
Branches of the External Carotid Artery

Question 13

What is the Venous drainage of the Nose

Answer 13

The Nose is drained via a Venous Plexus

Question 14

What implications does a rich vascular supply to the Nasal Cavity have for a common clinical condition?

Answer 14

Epistaxis (A Nose Bleed) - Especially in the very heavily vascularised “Little’s Area”

Question 15

What are Paranasal Air Sinuses?

Answer 15

Air filled extensions of the “Respiratory Part” of the Nasal Cavity

Question 16

What are the functions of Paranasal Air Sinuses?

Answer 16

1. Humidify Inspired Air
2. Reduce the Weight of the Skull
3. Vocal Resonance
4. Immunological Defences
5. Act as a buffer in Trauma

Question 17

What is the significance of the Respiratory Mucosa lining the Paranasal Air sinuses being similar to (and continuous with) that which lines the Nasal Cavity?

Answer 17

Rhinosinusitis can develop

Question 18

What opens into the Sphenoethmoid Recess?

Answer 18

The Spenoidal Sinus

Question 19

What opens into the Superior Meatus?

Answer 19

The Posterior Ethmoid Air Cells

Question 20

What opens into the Middle Meatus?

Answer 20

1. The Frontal Sinus
2. The Maxillary Sinus
3. The Middle Ethmoid Air Cells
4. The Anterior Ethmoid Air Cells

Question 21

What opens into the Inferior Meatus?

Answer 21

The Nasolacrimal Duct

Question 22

Why do the Sinuses need to be able to drain freely?

Answer 22

Due to them being lined with Secretory Mucosa

Question 23

Which Sinus does not have its opening at the most Inferior Part?

Answer 23

The Maxillary Sinus

Question 24

Which Sinuses floor is often indented by Tooth Sockets?

Answer 24

The Maxillary Sinus

Question 25

What can Sinus inflammation cause?

Answer 25

Blockage of the Sinus opening into the Nasal Cavity, resulting in pain (which is carried along branches of the Trigeminal Nerve)

Question 26

What Nerve innervates the Frontal Air Sinus?

Answer 26

Supraorbital Nerve (A Branch of the Ophthalmic Division of the Trigeminal Nerve (Cranial Nerve V1))

Question 27

What Nerve innervates the Maxillary Air Sinus?

Answer 27

Superior Alveolar Nerve (A Branch of the Maxillary Division of the Trigeminal Nerve (Cranial Nerve V2))

Question 28

What Nerve innervates the Sphenoidal Air Sinus?

Answer 28

Posterior Ethmoidal Nerve (A Branch of the Ophthalmic and Maxillary Division of the Trigeminal Nerve (Cranial Nerve V1 / V2))

Question 29

What Nerve innervates the Ethmoidal Air Cells?

Answer 29

Anterior and Posterior Branches of the Nasociliary Nerve (A Branch of the Ophthalmic Division of the Trigeminal Nerve (Cranial Nerve V1))