The Nasal Cavity 1

Question 1

what is the nose?

Answer 1

an olfactory (smell) and respiratory organ

Question 2

what does the nose consist of?

Answer 2

nasal skeleton, which houses the nasal cavity

Question 3

what are the functions of the nasal cavity?

Answer 3

1. Warms and humidifies the inspired air
2. Removes and traps pathogens and particulate matter from the inspired air
3. Sense of smell
4. Drains and clears the paranasal sinuses and lacrimal ducts

Question 4

where is the nasal cavity?

Answer 4

the most superior part of the respiratory tract

Question 5

where does the nasal cavity extend?

Answer 5

from the vestibule (nostril) of the nose to the nasopharynx

Question 6

what are the divisions of the nasal cavity?

Answer 6

Vestibule
Respiratory region
Olfactory region – located at the apex of the nasal cavity. It is lined by olfactory cells with olfactory receptors.

Question 7

what is the vestibule?

Answer 7

the area surrounding the anterior external opening to the nasal cavity

Question 8

what is the respiratory region lined by??

Answer 8

ciliated psudeostratified epithelium, interspersed with mucus-secreting goblet cells

Question 9

where is the olfactory region located?

Answer 9

at the apex of the nasal cavity

Question 10

what is the olfactory region lined by?

Answer 10

olfactory cells with olfactory receptors

Question 11

what are the nasal conchae?

Answer 11

Projecting out of the lateral walls of the nasal cavity are curved shelves of bone (conchae / turbinates)

Question 12

how many conchae are there?

Answer 12

three conchae – inferior, middle and superior

Question 13

where do the nasal conchae project into?

Answer 13

the nasal cavity, creating four pathways for the air to flow (meatus)

Question 14

where is the inferior meatus found?

Answer 14

between the inferior concha and floor of the nasal cavity

Question 15

where is the Spheno-ethmoidal recess found?

Answer 15

Lies superiorly and posteriorly to the superior concha

Question 16

what is the function of the conchae?

Answer 16

to increase the surface area of the nasal cavity – this increases the amount of inspired air that can come into contact with the cavity walls (where blood vessels are to warm inspired air)

Question 17

another function of conchae aside from increase SA?

Answer 17

They also disrupt the fast, laminar flow of the air, making it slow and turbulent. The air spends longer in the nasal cavity, so that it can be humidified

Question 18

what is one of the functions of the nose?

Answer 18

to drain a variety of structures

Question 19

what is required in order for structures to drain into the nose?

Answer 19

there are many openings into the nasal cavity, by which drainage occurs

Question 20

where do the paranasal sinuses drain into?

Answer 20

the nasal cavity

Question 21

which structures open into the middle meatus?

Answer 21

The frontal, maxillary and anterior ethmoidal sinuses

Question 22

what is the middle meatus opening marked by?

Answer 22

the semilunar hiatus (a crescent-shaped groove on the lateral walls of the nasal cavity)

Question 23

what does the middle ethmoidal sinus emoty into?

Answer 23

a structure called the ethmoidal bulla

Question 24

what is the ethmoidal bulla?

Answer 24

a bulge in the lateral wall formed by the middle ethmoidal sinus itself

Question 25

where does the posterior ethmoidal sinus open out at?

Answer 25

the level of the superior meatus

Question 26

where does the sphenoid sinus empty into?

Answer 26

drains onto the posterior roof

The only structure not to empty out onto the lateral walls of the nasal cavity

Question 27

in addition to the paranasal sinuses, which other structures open into the nasal cavity?

Answer 27

1. nasolacrimal duct

2. auditory (or eustachian) tube

Question 28

function of the nasolacrimal duct?

Answer 28

drain tears from the eye

Question 29

where does the nasolacrimal duct open into?

Answer 29

the inferior meatus

Question 30

where does the eustachian tube open into?

Answer 30

the nasopharynx at the level of the inferior meatus

Question 31

function of the auditory (eustachian) tube?

Answer 31

allows the middle ear to equalise with the atmospheric air pressure

Question 32

what does the auditory tube connect?

Answer 32

middle ear and upper respiratory tract

Question 33

what does the auditory tube provide a path for?

Answer 33

infection to spread from upper respiratory tract to ear

Question 34

what does infection of the auditory tube cause? resulting in?

Answer 34

swelling of the mucous lining, and the tube becomes blocked

results in diminished hearing