Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

2 - HNA > The Nose & Paranasal Sinuses > Flashcards

The Nose & Paranasal Sinuses Flashcards

1
Q

Describe the external nose

A
  • Made up of two parts:
    • Nasal bones
    • Nasal (alar) cartilages
  • Naris = external nasal aperture

NB: hairy skin extends into the nasal cavity a short distance - this is the vestibule of the nose

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Describe the nasal bones

A
  • Superiorly: meet in the midline
  • There is an opening inferior to the bones (between the maxillae)
    • Maxillae meet inferiorly to form the lower boundary of the opening
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Describe the nasal cartilages

A
  • Hyaline cartilage
  • Attach to the edge of the nasal opening
  • Major alar cartilages form lateral boundary of the naris anteriorly
    • Fibrofatty tissue forms it posteriorly
  • Form anterior septum
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What forms the medial walls of the nasal cavity?

A
  • Nasal septum - divides cavity in two formed by:
  1. Perpendicular plate of the ethmoid superiorly
  2. Cartilage anteriorly
  3. Vomer posteriorly

Little’s area = highly vascularised area in anterior nasal septum, inflammation causes epistaxis (nosebleeds)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Describe the roof of the nasal cavity

A
  • The roof is arched, formed from:
  1. Nasal bones anteriorly
  2. Cribriform plate in the middle
  3. Inferior surface of sphenoid (body) posteriorly
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What forms the floor of the nasal cavity?

A
  • Palatine processes of the maxillae anteriorly
  • Horizontal plate of the palatine bones posteriorly

(i.e. the hard palate)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What forms the lateral walls of the nasal cavity?

A

Maxilla & three concha

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Discuss the nasal conchae

A
  • Large, medially-directed bony elements
  • Covered in highly vascular mucous membranes
    • Warm & humidify air as it’s drawn past
  • Shelf-like, beneath each is a meatus

NB: superior/middle are part of ethmoid, inferior is a separate bone

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Where does the sphenoid sinus open into the nasal cavity?

A

Sphenoethmoidal recess

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What opens into the superior meatus?

A

Posterior ethmoidal air cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What opens into the middle meatus?

A
  1. Anterior & middle ethmoidal air cells
  2. Frontal sinus
  3. Maxillary sinus
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What opens into the inferior meatus?

A

Nasolacrimal duct

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Discuss the blood supply to the nasal cavity

A

Three sources:

  1. Sphenopalatine branch of the maxillary artery (predominant)
  2. Anterior ethmoidal branch of ophthalmic artery
  3. Labial branch of the facial artery
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Venous drainage of the nasal cavity

A

Veins follow artery to drain to:

  • Facial vein
  • Ophthalmic vein
  • Sphenopalatine vein - part of pterygoid plexus
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Discuss the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity

A
  • Olfactory part: roof and adjacent part of walls
  • Vestibule: stratified squamous
  • Rest: respiratory epithelium
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Discuss the nerve supply to the nasal cavity

A
  • Olfactory n. from olfactory mucous membrane
    • Pass through cribriform plate
  • General sensation: branches of Va & Vb
    • Accompany vasculature
  • Parasymp secretomotor: from PPG
    • Pregang to PPG by greater petrosal n. (VII)
17
Q

Describe the paranasal sinuses

A
  • Series of membrane-lined cavities of facial bones
    • Ciliated mucous columnar epithelium
    • Currents directly spirally → openings
  • For resonance (speech) & lighten the bones
18
Q

Describe the frontal sinus

A

Lies about the orbit, can be quite extensive

19
Q

Describe the maxillary sinus

A
  • Large: occupies most of the maxilla
    • Lies lateral to nasal cavity

NB: opening above floor of sinus

20
Q

Describe the ethmoidal air sinuses

A
  • Small, interconnected air cells between nose & orbit
  • Middle sinus in the bulla of the ethmoid
  • Hiatus semilunaris curved opening beneath bulla
    • Openings of frontal, maxillary & anterior ethmoidal
21
Q

Describe the sphenoidal sinus

A
  • Opens in triangular space above superior concha
  • Important relations:
    • Pituitary fossa superiorly
    • Cavernous sinus laterally
22
Q

Discuss anterior cranial fossa fracture

A
  • Can cause CSF rhinorrhoea - drainage via nose
    • Leading to: purulent meningitis & anosmia
23
Q

Discuss sinusitis

A
  • Inflammation of paranasal sinuses
  • Symptoms:
    • Headache
    • Feeling of pressure in eyes, nose, cheeks
    • Cough
    • Fever
    • Halitosis
    • Nasal congestions with thick mucous
24
Q

Discuss maxillary sinusitis

A
  • Causes pain/pressure in maxillary area
  • May present with toothache

NB: Infection & damage more likely due to position of opening (drainage more difficult)

25
Q

Discuss the relevance of the location of the sphenoid sinus

A
  • Transphenoidal hypophysectomy
    • Remove pituitary tumours confined to sella turcica/only extend to suprasellar region
  • Endoscope inserted through nose to sinus
  • Procedure of choice operation: significant advantages over open craniotomy

2 - HNA (11 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions