Nasal Cavities Flashcards
Identify the features of the external nares of different species and explain their role in airway resistance
Identify the main features of the external nares
Nostrils
Nasal Vestibule
What are nostrils?
They are the actual meatus surrounded by hairless skin. This skin can be highly modified depending on species
The meatus/nostrils are surrounded by nasal cartilage dorsally and ventrally
What are the nasal vestibule?
The opening of the nasal cavity, and contains the opening of the nasolacrimal duct which is visible just inside of the ventral surface
Outline the species differences of the external nares with regards to cattle
Nostrils surrounded by smooth hairless nasolabial plate:
Stratified cornified epithelium
Serous glands create moisture
Nasolabial glands
Outline the species differences of the external nares with regards to Equidae
No ventral nasal cartilage
Incomplete cartilaginous ring:
Distensible nostrils
Alar cartilages (plate and horn):
Form comma shaped nostrils.
Ventral ‘true’ nostril
Dorsal ‘false’ nostril
Skin lined diverticulum
Within nasoincisive notch
Outline the species differences of the external nares with regards to Carnivordae
Nasal plate:
Divided by median groove (philtrum)
Secretions from lateral nasal gland
Outline the species differences of the external nares with regards to Suidae
Small nostrils on snout
Highly sensitive
Contains the os rostrale
Outline the species differences of the external nares with regards to Aves
Slit like openings.
Not diving birds eg gannet
Operculum:
Overhanging bony flap
Wide communication between nasal cavity and pharynx:
Choana
Provide an overview of nasal cavity function
Conduction and preparation inspired of air:
Moisten air
Warm air
Filters particles
Mucus traps particles -> swallowed
Air flow resistance
Heat exchangers for cooling the brain:
Cooled venous blood passes via the rete mirabalis and cools the arterial blood going to the brain
Olfaction:
Caudal regions of the turbinates covered by olfactory epithelium
Defense mechanisms
Provide an overview of nasal cavity structure
Extends from nostrils to cribriform plate of ethmoid bone:
Divided by nasal septum Further divided into nasal meatuses by nasal conchae: Which further increase nasal surface area Highly vascular structure
List the key landmarks bordering the nasal cavity
Dorsally and laterally:
facial bones.
Ventrally:
hard palate.
Rostrally:
nostrils (external nares).
Caudally:
pharynx / ethmoid bone.
Define the term conchae
Turbinate bones which project into the nasal cavity and form scrolls and are covered by nasal mucus. They are coiled to increase SA. 3 divisions:
Dorsal
Including the alar fold (small cartilaginous structure at the rostral end of the nasal cavity)
Ventral
Only turbinate which leads to the pharynx
Ethmoidal
Attached to the ethmoidal plate
Rich in sensory nerve endings as it is responsible for sense of smell
Define the term turbinates
Delicate Scrolls which can be split into three groups:
Ectoturibinates
In frontal sinus
6 in dogs; 20-30 in horses
Endotubinates In nasal cavity 5-6 #1 & #2 form dorsa; and middle conchae Attach to cribriform plate caudally Maxilloturbinates In nasal cavity Paired Attached to medial wall of maxilla Forms the ventral concha
Ethmoturbinates in collective term for ecto- and endoturbinates
Define the term meatus
Dorsal nasal meatus
The passage between the roof of the nasal cavity and the dorsal nasal concha.
Middle nasal meatus
Between the dorsal and ventral conchae, it communicates with the paranasal sinuses.
Ventral nasal meatus
Main pathway for airflow leading to the pharynx, positioned between ventral nasal concha and
floor of the nasal cavity.
Runs into common
Common nasal meatus