Nasal Anatomy and Physiology

Question 1

What constitute the nasal bones of the external nose?

Answer 1

Frontal process of the maxilla and the nasal part of the frontal bone

Question 2

What makes up the mid-line partition of the internal nose?

Answer 2

Septal cartilage and the perpendicular plate of the ethmoid plate

Question 3

Name the turbenates/concha

Answer 3

1. Superior
2. Middle
3. Inferior

Question 4

What is the roof and floor of the internal nose made up of?

Answer 4

Roof - Cribriform plate

Floor - Hard palate

Question 5

What reasons might the turbinates become swollen and how is it commonly treated?

Answer 5

Rhinitis (inflammation of the mucosal membrane due to allergy for example) or infection
Treated with a steroid spray

Question 6

What is found in the nasopharynx?

Answer 6

The opening of the eustachian tube and the adenoid (pharyngeal) tonsils

Question 7

What is the nerve supply to the nose?

Answer 7

Fibres from the neuro-olfactory epithelium which are derived from Cranial Nerve I (Olfactory) for smell
Infraorbital nerve which is a branch of Cranial Nerve V2 (Trigeminal) for general sensory

Question 8

List the sinuses and where they drain

Answer 8

Frontal sinus - Middle meatus
Maxillary sinus - Middle meatus
Ethmoid sinus
     - Anterior - Middle meatus
     - Middle - Middle meatus
     - Posterior - Superior meatus
Sphenoid sinus - Sphenoethmoidal recess

Question 9

What drains into the inerior meatus?

Answer 9

The nasolacrimal duct