Nasal Cavity

Question 1

which structures enter pterygopalatine fossa laterally?

Answer 1

maxillary a.

infratemporal fossa via pterygomaxillary fissure

Question 2

which structures enter pterygopalatine fossa posteriorly?

Answer 2

maxillary n. (foramen rotundum)

n. of pterygoid canal (Vidian n.)

Question 3

which structures exit pterygopalatine fossa posteriorly?

Answer 3

a. of pterygoid canal

pharyngeal a. and n. (palatovaginal canal to upper pharynx)

meningeal n. (foramen rotundum)

Question 4

which structures exit pterygopalatine fossa anteriorly?

Answer 4

infraorbital n. and a.

zygomatic n.

superior alveolar a. and n.

Question 5

which structures exit pterygopalatine fossa inferiorly?

Answer 5

descending palatine a. and palatine n.

Question 6

the middle nasal meatus has a prominent bulge - what is this?

Answer 6

ethmoidal bulla (the medial wall of the middle ethmoidal sinuses)

Question 7

choana

Answer 7

opening from nasal cavity into nasopharynx

Question 8

infundibulum

Answer 8

upper part of semilunar hiatus, goes up to frontal sinus

has openings for ethmoid air cells and opening for maxillary sinus

Question 9

uncinate process

Answer 9

limits anterior edge of semilunar hiatus

partially obstructs opening to maxillary sinus –> remove process to improve drainage

Question 10

which duct is beneath the inferior nasal concha?

Answer 10

nasolacrimal duct

Question 11

cartilage at tip of nose

Answer 11

major alar cartilage

Question 12

which dural partition attaches to the crista galli?

Answer 12

falx cerebri

Question 13

floor of nasal cavity

Answer 13

palatine process of the maxilla and the horizontal plate of the palatine
bone

Question 14

posterior wall of nasal cavity

Answer 14

body of sphenoid

Question 15

which nasal concha are a part of the ethmoid bone?

Answer 15

superior and middle nasal concha

Question 16

sphenopalatine foramen

Answer 16

between perpendicular plate of palatine bone and sphenoid bone

route for structures to enter nasal cavity from pterygopalatine fossa

(sphenopalatine a./v., posterior superior nasal nerve)

Question 17

entryway into nasal cavity for n. and vessels associated w/ V2

Answer 17

pterygopalatine fossa

Question 18

Which vessel enters via the pterygopalatine fossa and supplies posterior half of nasal cavity and maxillary sinus?

Answer 18

maxillary a. (3rd part)

Question 19

Keisselbach’s area

Answer 19

region in the anteroinferior part of the nasal septum

anastomoses between maxillary a., ophthalmic a., and facial a.

very vulnerable to bleeding

Question 20

br. of sphenopalatine a.

Answer 20

posterior septal br.

posterior lateral nasal br.

Question 21

anterior and posterior ethmoidal a. are branches of which a.?

Answer 21

ophthalmic a. (br. of ICA)

Question 22

general sensory innervation of nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses

Answer 22

via CN V
V1 –> lat aspect nose, and ant/dorsal aspect within cavity

V2-> inner nose and maxillary sinus

Question 23

maxillary sinus nerve supply

Answer 23

V2 
infraorbital n.
posterior superior alveolar n.
middle superior alveolar n.
anterior superior alveolar n.

Question 24

preganglionic parasympathetics to nasal cavity

Answer 24

via greater petrosal br. of facial n. to pterygopalatine ganglion

Question 25

postganglionic parasympathetics to nasal cavity distribute w/ br. of ______

Answer 25

maxillary n.

Question 26

postganglionic sympathetics to nasal cavity are via the ____________ and the ____________

action?

Answer 26

postganglionic sympathetics to nasal cavity are via the CAROTID PLEXUS and the DEEP PETROSAL N.

limit blood supply –> shrink mucosal lining –> reduce swelling in nose (exp. Afrin)

Question 27

How do olfactory neurons recover after injury?

Answer 27

stem cells (basal cells)

Question 28

possible physiologic functions of paranasal sinuses

Answer 28

• protection from bone conduction of speech
• humidification
• local immunologic defense
• supply olfactory mucosa
• reduce skull weight
• trauma protection
• heat insulation

Question 29

individuals with ciliopathy (like Kartagener syndrome) are susceptible to

Answer 29

sinus infections

Question 30

vulnerable structures near the sphenoid

Answer 30

optic nerve

And contents of cavernous sinus…

internal carotid a. + surrounding sympathetic plexus

CN III
CN IV
CN V1,V2
CN VI
^embedded in lateral wall of sinus

Question 31

if ethmoid air cells grow too much during development what can happen?

Answer 31

can close off gap between nasal septum and middle/superior turbinates

block olfactory epithelium –> ANOSMIA