Nasal Cavity, sinuses, nasopharynx Flashcards
List the surface anatomy markers of the nose from top to bottom
Bridge/root of nose
Dorsum nasi
apex of nose
ala of nose
naris
Philtrum
List 4 functions of the nose
- respiratory - warms and humidifies inspired air
- immune - traps and removes pathogens/particulates from inspired air
- olfactory - responsible for sense of smell
- drainage- acts as a drainage system from paranasal sinuses and lacrimal ducts
What are the 3 regions of the nasal cavity and what are their cell types?
- olfactory region - olfactory mucosa
- respiratory region - ciliated pseudo stratified epithelium & goblet cells
- Vestibule - keratinized stratified squamous epithelium
what 3 structures make up the nasal septum
Perpendicular extension of the ethmoid plate, vomer and
septum cartilage
List the 3 nasal conchae and what do they form?
Superior nasal conchae
Middle nasal conchae
Inferior nasal conchae
What is the function of the nasal conchae?
Projections of the lateral walls of the nasal cavity - they form pathways (called meatuses) for air to flow through the nasal cavity.
what is the perforated part of the ethmoid bone called?
Cribriform plate - holes to allow the olfactory nerves to pass
Where does the blood supply to the nasal cavity come from?
Branches of the internal carotid arteries
Name two structures that drain into the nasal cavity?
Nasolacrimal duct
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Paranasal sinuses
Name the 4 paranasal sinuses
- Maxillary sinus
- Sphenoid sinus
- Ethmoid sinus
- Frontal sinus
Give 4 functions of the paranasal sinuses
- Decrease weight of skull
- immune defence
- produces mucous for tissues of the nasal cavity
- helps warm & humidify inhaled air
What is the sella turcica
Saddle shaped depression in the sphenoid bone that houses the pituitary gland.
List the 4 muscles of mastication
- Temporalis
- Masseter
- medial pterygoid
- lateral pterygoid
Where is the nasopharynx located
behind the nasal cavity above the soft palate
What is the important location within the nasopharynx
Fossa of rosenmuller (pharyngeal recess) - contains the retropharyngeal nodes
What lymphoid tissue is present in the nasopharynx?
Pharyngeal tonsils
What is the first lymph node involved in nasopharynx cancer
Retropharyngeal lymph node and if it is more than 1cm in diameter this is not normal.
What type of cartilage is the nasal cartilage
hyaline
List the nasal cartilages:
- nasal septum cartilage
2.Upper lateral cartilage (L+R) - Major Alar cartilage (Lateral crus and medial crus)
- Minor alar cartilage
What is the name of the recess that connects the sphenoid sinus to the nasal cavity?
Spenoethmoidal recess
What is the most common histology of nasal tumours?
Squamous cell carcinoma
List 6 signs and symptoms of nasal related cancer
1.permanently blocked nose
2.rhinorrhea (runny nose)
3.nosebleeds
4.trismus (locked jaw)
5. Pain in the face
6. Loss of sense of smell
List 3 ways nasal cancer may be clinically investigated:
- physical examination of neck, nose, throat, mouth
- nasoendoscopy/biopsy/FNA of neck nodes
- imaging scan CT/MRI/X-ray
What is the name of lymph node removal in the neck?
Radical neck dissection
Which nasal cancer is usually unsuitable for surgery and why?
Nasopharynx cancer - difficult to resect from this location
Give 3 risk factors of nasal cancer:
- Industrial/occupational exposure (dust,metals,chemicals)
- Smoking
- HPV
Describe the tumour types of the TNM staging system
T0- no signs of tumour, just abnormal cells present
T1- small and have not spread
T2- spread to surrounding tissue
T3- spread further into surrounding tissue
T4- spread into nearby bones, nerves, tissues of the skull
What are the 3 main treatment types for nasal cancers?
Surgery - 1st line of treatment if tumour is resectable and has not spread. may include neck dissection.
Radiotherapy - usually given after surgery to treat microscopic spread/prophylactic purpose. May be given to treat neck nodes if didn’t have removal.
Chemotherapy - usually given if nasal cancer has spread or come back after initial treatment
In what circumstances can radiotherapy be given to treat nasal cancer?
- Adjuvantly post surgery - treat microscopic spread, prevent disease from returning (with or without chemo)
- On its own if surgery is unsuitable (with or without chemo)
What is the chemotherapy drug most commonly used to treat nasal cancer?
Cisplatin
What treatment type is rarely used for nasal cancer?
Immunotherapies
In which sinus is cancer most likely to develop?
Maxillary
