Nasal Anatomy and Physiology Flashcards
give some functions of the nose
airway in respiration
Warmth/Humidification
Filtration of large particulate matter by hairs
Immune protection
Olfaction
Mucus production, trapping and ciliary clearance of particulate matter
Drainage/aeration of the middle ear via Eustachian tube
Voice modification
what are the functions of sinuses?
Debated
Help with vocal resonance
Decrease the weight of skull and facial bones
Act as buffer for trauma
describe the epithelium of the nose
Respiratory ciliated columnar epithelium with goblet cells
what is the clinical relevance of the septum?
Deviation-congenital or acquired (Acquired being almost always caused by trauma)
Septal perforation
Septal haematoma
what is the clinical relevance of turbinates?
usually inferior turbinate only
Can cause nasal blockage due to
Infection
Inflammation e.g allergic rhinitis
what is Rhinosinusitis?
reflects a concurrent inflammatory and infective process that affects the nasal passageway and contiguous para nasal sinuses
what are the different causes of Rhinosinusitis?
Acute (bacterial)
Chronic (Allergic/Non allergic-with or without polyps)
list the important relations of the Frontal and ethmoid sinus
Anterior cranial fossa
list the important relations of the Maxillary sinus
Orbits
Sphenoid
Optic nerve
list the important relations of the Internal carotid artery
Cavernous sinus
why are the relations of the sinuses so important?
Spread of infections:
Meningitis
Intracranial abscess’
Orbital sepsis
Risks of surgery:
CSF leak
Orbital complications. Worst case scenario - blindness
where does Epistaxis most commonly occur?
Little’s area
what are common causes of epistaxis?
Trauma aka nose picking Anticoagulants Iatrogenic – surgery Idiopathic Hypertension
what is Olfactory dysfunction?
altered sense of smell
what are some causes of Olfactory dysfunction?
Rhinosinusitis
Post viral anosmia
Trauma
