Anatomy and physiology of the nose Flashcards
Name the parts of the nose.
- root of nose
- dorsum
- supra-tip
- tip
- columellar
- alar crease
- naso-labial fold
- philtrum
- nares
- alar margin
In surgery of the nose, what is it important to maintain?
allignment with the philtrum and columellar.
the ______ is behind the septum.
Choanae.
What is the septum made up of?
- Quadrangular cartilage
- maxillary crest
- vomer
- perpendicular plate of ethmoid
- nasal bones
What is the role of the septum?
To divide the nasal cavity.
Apart from the choanae and septum what other things are found in the nasal cavity?
Turbinates
Meati
What is the role of the turbinates?
To heat and humidify the air through the nose.
Name the turbinates.
- inferior
- middle
- superior
What is a nasal meatus?
A nasal meatus is a nasal passage of the nasal cavity.
Name the meati.
- superior meatus
- middle meatus
- inferior meatus
What is the role of the meati?
the sinuses drain into the meati sinuses e.g. maxillary into middle meatus.
Name the 4 pairs of paranasal sinuses.
Maxillary
Ethmoid
Frontal
Sphenoid
Where are the maxillary sinuses located?
Under the eyes (orbit and oral cavity).
Where are the frontal sinuses located?
Above the eyes (orbit and Ant. Fossa).
Where are the ethmoid sinuses located?
Between the eyes (orbit and cribiform plate)
Where are the sphenoid sinuses located?
Behind the eyes (pituitary and optic nerve)
What is the surface of the nose lined with?
- respiratory epithelium
- mucoperiosteum (covers bone)
- mucoperiochondrium (covers cartilage)
Where does the nasopharynx start and end?
starts- posterior of choana
ends- level of soft palate
Name the contents of the nsaopharynx.
Adenoids
Eustachian tube meatus
If removed, what can help a person hear better?
Adenoids.
All angles of the nose are ______ inspected.
Externally.
How is the nose internally examined?
Through a rigid/ flexible nasendoscopy.
______ is so that we can feel that the cartilage isn’t strong or if there is a build up of _____.
Palpation, fluid
What would parts are palpated?
External nose and neck.
What do large adenoids do?
They obstruct the nasal cavity, making it difficult for them to breathe through their nose.
What are the adenoids close to?
The eustachian tube.
If adenoids are large and problematic, what is done?
They are removed.
Adenoid removal is commonly seen in _____.
Kids.
What is the most common diagnosis causing a nasal obstruction?
Nasal Polyps.
What is a nasal polyps?
swelling of the normal nasal lining inside the nasal passages and sinuses .
If nasal polyps block your sinuses, what may this lead to?
a build-up of fluid that may become infected (sinusitis).
What can be done to treat polyps?
Steroid spray
Surgery to remove them.
Name some symptoms of nasal polyps.
a blocked nose, which can make it difficult to breathe through your nose
a runny nose
mucus that drips from the back of your nose down your throat (post-nasal drip)
a reduced sense of smell or taste
a feeling of fullness or pressure in the face
snoring
obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA)
If swelling of the nasal lining isn’t uniform, what may this indicate?
Cancer.
Name some common problems involving the nose.
- foreign body (toy stuck)
- mucosal congestion
- polyps
- infection
- deviated septum
- tumour
- nasopharyngeal obstruction e.g. adenoids/tumours.
What are the functions of the nose?
- Airway (respiratory function)- primary external opening for respiration
- Warming
- Humidification
- Filtering (hairs and mucus lining)
- Smell/taste
- resonance (how air vibrates and we hear our own voice)
What does DNS stand for?
Deviated Nasal Septum.
What is rhinitis?
Inflammation of inside of the nose.
What 3 things can obstruct the nasal cavity?
Polyps
Tumours
Adenoids
Who may often have a ciliary disorder?
Patients with cystic fibrosis.
Name 4 conditions affecting smell and taste disturbance.
- Anosmia
- Aguesia
- Hyposmia
- Hypogeusia
Name this:
Can’t smell anymore.
Anosmia
Name this:
Can’t taste anymore.
Aguesia
Name this:
Reduced smell.
Hyposmia
Name this:
reduced taste.
Hypoguesia.
What does a ciliary disorder mean for people with cystic fibrosis?
They can’t effectively get rid of respiratory mucous which can lead to infections etc.
What is a nasal allergen? give an example.
An inhaled substance causing an allergy. Pollen/ dust etc.
What is an allergy an example of?
Hypersensitivity.
What is hypersensitivity?
An undesirable reaction produced by the normal immune system.
What type of reaction is allergic rhinitis?
type 1- immediate hypersensitivity reaction (release of histamine etc.)
What is allergic rhinitis?
Inflammation of inside of nose due to allergy.
What is allergic rhinitis caused by commonly?
- asthma
- polyps
- hayfever
What are the signs/symptoms of allergic rhinnorhea?
- Nasal Congestion (blocked nose)
- Rhinnorhea (runny nose)
- Sneezing (10/12 times per episode)
- watery eyes
- seasonal e.g. hayfever
- trigger factor e.g. pollen
- associated with asthma
What is the treatment for allergic rhinitis?
- Antihistamines
- Topical steroids
- Short Term decongestants (no more than 1 week)
Name the fancy word for nose bleeds?
Epistaxis.
Name the causes of epistaxis.
- Traumatic (nose picking, sport)
- Spontaneous
- Secondary to blood thinners (aspirin)
- Secondary to coagulation disorders (genetic disease)
Epistaxsis is very ______.
Common.
Most of the time, what happens with epistaxsis?
The bleeding stops by itself.
Why is the nose such a common bleeding point?
- Branches from internal and external carotid arteries supple the nose
- usually “littles area” at front of nasal septum (4 different arteries here- small and fragile)
How is epistaxsis treated?
Firstly, First Aid- pressure on nose and ice pack, pinch soft part for 10-15 mins, head forward to stop swallowing blood (and vomiting etc.)
If nose bleeding isn’t stopping what can be done?
- go to hospital
- inspect nose
- stop blood thinners/ reverse coagulation problems
- Vasoconstriction (narrow blood vessels using topical application of adrenaline)
- Cautery (stop bleeding)
- Merocell packing, nasopore etc. (clot blood)
- Vessel ligation surgery (tie off blood vessel)
