Nasal Cavity/Paranasal Sinuses: Clinical Flashcards
An infection can spread from the nasal cavity to the lachrymal apparatus and conjunctiva via what?
Nasolacremal duct- causing conjunctivitis (pink eye)
An infection can spread to the anterior cranial fossa via where? What parasite is sometimes associated with this?
The Cribrifrom plate- potentially causing meningitis or a brain abscess
-This is sometime associated with naegleria fowleri
Where is the most common area for an infection to spread from the nasal cavity? and how does it spread there?
Nasopharynx via the chonae- potentially causing acute pharyngitis (sore throat)
Through what tube does an infection travel from the nasal cavity to the middle ear and what does this cause?
The pharyngotympanic tube- causing otitis media (middle ear infection)
T/F: CSF dripping through the nose indictes damage to the nasal bone.
False: this indicated damage to the cribriform plate
What is a halo sign?
A grayish ring around the blood coming from the nose, indicating CSF leaking through the cribriform plate
-Note: This can happen through the ear (battle’s sign) and lachrymal ducts (blow-up fracture) as well and after a lumbar puncture (through the L3/L4 interspinous space)
What is epitaxis?
Nose bleed
What are the two forms of epistaxis?
1) Mild form
2) Severe form
What are some other causes of epistaxis?
1) hypertension
2) blood disorders
3) cocaine abuse (my personal favorite)
The mild form of epistaxis is occurs where and is caused by what?
- Occurs in or near the nasal vestibule
- is caused by mild trauma of low humidity
The severe form of epistaxis involves the spurting of arterial blood from what major artery?
sphenopalintine artery
What is the cause of severe epistaxis?
Major trauma to the nose and face
What is Anosmia?
Loss of the sensation of smell (olfaction)
People over the age of 50 lose the sense of smell by how much per year
by up to 1% per year
