Anatomy/Physiology of the Nose/Sinuses

Question 1

What is responsible for maintaining laminar flow?

Answer 1

Turbinates (also increase SA)

Septum

Question 2

What is responsible for warming and humidifying air as it passes through the nasal cavity?

Answer 2

Mucosal lining humidifies

Sinuses provide a reservoir or warm air

Question 3

List some functions of the nasal cavity.

Answer 3

Warms and humidifies air
Maintains laminar air flow
Immune barrier
Smell
Eusatacian tube involved in drainage and aeration of middle ear

Question 4

Describe the immune function of the 1st 3rd of the nasal cavity.

Answer 4

Stratified squamous epithelium

Hair traps particles

Question 5

Describe the immune function of the 2nd 2 3rds of the nasal cavity.

Answer 5

Goblet cells produce sticky mucus that traps pathogens
IgE, IgA and lysozomes found in this mucus
Cilia can move this mucus

Question 6

List some functions of the sinuses.

Answer 6

Reservoir of warm air
Lightens skull
Crumple zones
Vocal resonance

Question 7

What is a difficulty in mending broken noses?

Answer 7

Bones can be moved back and reset but cartilage can’t really be unbent

Question 8

What are the borders of the nasal cavity?

Answer 8

Midline - Septum
Roof - Cribriform plate
Walls - Turbinates
Floor - Hard palate

Question 9

Where does the frontal sinus drain?

Answer 9

Drains under the middle turbinates via middle meatus

Question 10

Where do the ethmoid sinuses drain?

Answer 10

Anterior - Into the ethmoid infundibulum in the middle
meatus

Posterior - Into the sphenoethmoidal recess in the
superior meatus

Question 11

Where is the inferior meatus located?

Answer 11

Between the inferior turbinate and the floor of the nasal cavity

Question 12

Where is the middle meatus located?

Answer 12

Between the inferior and middle turbinates

Question 13

Where is the superior meatus located?

Answer 13

Between the middle and superior turbinates

Question 14

Where is the spenoethmoidal recess located?

Answer 14

Just superior and posterior to the superior turbinate

Question 15

Where does the nasolacrimal duct drain?

Answer 15

Into the inferior meatus

Question 16

What are some associated structures of the sphenoid sinus?

Answer 16

Optic nerve runs above it

ICA’s run either side

Question 17

Where does the sphenoid sinus drain?

Answer 17

Into the sphenoethmoidal recess

Question 18

Where does the maxillary sinus drain?

Answer 18

Into the middle meatus

Question 19

What is a possible consequence of chronic sinusitis?

Answer 19

Polyps

Question 20

Describe the management of polyps as a result of chronic sinusitis.

Answer 20

Remove allergic triggers (antihistamines)
Treat infection
Reduce inflammation (steroids)

Question 21

What is the significance of Kiesselbach’s plexus?

Answer 21

It is the termination of many small blood vessels at the fleshy bit at the front of the nose
Most common site of nose bleeds

Question 22

Which arteries supply the nasal cavity structures?

Answer 22

Sphenopalatine artery via maxillary artery

Anterior and posterior ethmoid artery via opthalmic artery

Question 23

Which branches of the trigeminal nerve supply the nasal cavity structures?

Answer 23

V1 Opthalmic

V2 Maxillary