Anatomy of the Nose
Related Subjects:
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|Anatomy of the Biliary system
|Anatomy of the Eye
|Anatomy of the Larynx
|Anatomy of the Ear
|Anatomy of the Pharynx
|Anatomy of the Nose
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👂👃👄 The Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) region is an intricate anatomical system.
Each structure contributes to vital functions: hearing, respiration, olfaction, filtration, resonance, and phonation.
This section focuses on the detailed anatomy of the nose, with clinical correlations.
👃 Detailed Nose Anatomy
- 🌐 External Nose
- Nasal Bridge: Bony framework (nasal bones + frontal processes of maxilla).
📌 Clinical: Fractures cause cosmetic deformity & airway obstruction.
- Nostrils (Nares): Openings for air entry, lined with vibrissae (hairs) filtering dust.
📌 Clinical: Site of foreign body impaction in children.
- 🏠 Nasal Cavity
- Nasal Septum:
• Cartilaginous (anterior) + bony (vomer & perpendicular plate of ethmoid).
• Covered by mucous membrane.
📌 Clinical: Septal deviation may cause chronic obstruction or epistaxis.
- Nasal Conchae (Turbinates):
• Superior, Middle, Inferior → curved bony plates.
• Function: ↑ surface area for warming, humidifying, and filtering air.
📌 Clinical: Hypertrophy linked to allergic rhinitis.
- Nasal Meatuses:
• Channels beneath each concha.
• Superior → drains posterior ethmoids.
• Middle → drains frontal, maxillary, anterior ethmoids (common sinusitis site).
• Inferior → drains nasolacrimal duct.
📌 Exam tip: “Maxillary sinus drains high into middle meatus → poor drainage when infected.”
- 🌀 Paranasal Sinuses (air-filled cavities in skull bones, lined by mucosa)
- 🟩 Maxillary sinus – largest, drains to middle meatus.
- 🟦 Frontal sinus – above orbits, frontal bone.
- 🟨 Ethmoid sinuses – multiple small air cells.
- 🟥 Sphenoid sinus – deep, close to optic nerve & pituitary.
📌 Clinical: Sinusitis → pain localises (maxillary = cheeks, frontal = forehead, ethmoid = medial eye, sphenoid = deep retro-orbital).
🩸 Blood Supply & Epistaxis
- Rich anastomosis in Kiesselbach’s plexus (Little’s area, anterior septum) → common site of nosebleeds.
- Arterial sources: branches of facial, maxillary, ophthalmic arteries.
- Posterior bleeds (sphenopalatine artery) → harder to control, may require packing or cautery.
🌟 Key Points for Students
- Nasal conchae = ↑ surface area for air conditioning 🌬️.
- Middle meatus = drainage point for most sinuses (exam favourite).
- Little’s area = most common site of epistaxis 🩸.
- Close relation of sphenoid sinus to pituitary → surgical access for trans-sphenoidal surgery 🧠.
