Nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses

Question 1

What is the main function of the nasal cavity?

Answer 1

Warms, humidifies and filters incoming air

Question 2

What type of epithelium lines the resp region?

Answer 2

Pseudostratified columnar ciliated epithelium

Question 3

What is the plexus of vessels called which anastomose on the anterior nasal septum?

Answer 3

Kiesselbach’s plexus

Question 4

What might fracture of the cribiform plate result in?

Answer 4

CSF Rhinorrhoea and Anosmia

Question 5

What 3 things could occur if the nasolacrimal duct was blocked?

Answer 5

1) Epiphora (tears)
2) Dacryocystitis (inflamed)
3) Dacrostenosis (blockage)

Question 6

Name the 4 paranasal sinuses.

Answer 6

Frontal
Ethmoid
Maxillary
Sphenoid

Question 7

What is the sensory innervation of the paranasal sinuses?

Answer 7

ALL CN Va (opthalmic) except Maxillary - Vb (Maxillary division)

Question 8

Where does the sphenoid sinus drain to?

Answer 8

Sphenoethmoidal recess

Question 9

What sinuses drain into the semilunar hiatus in the middle meatus?

Answer 9

Maxillar, ethmoid and frontal sinus

Question 10

What drains into the inferior meatus?

Answer 10

Nasolacrimal duct

Question 11

Why is it important that the sphenoid sinus is close to the cranial cavity?

Answer 11

Minimally invasive surgical approach to the pituitary gland

Question 12

How does the frontal sinus drain into the middle meatus?

Answer 12

Via the frontonasal duct

Question 13

What separates the ethmoid air cells from the orbit? Why is this important?

Answer 13

Lamina papyracea - thin paper like bone

Infection can spread to orbit - Peri-orbital cellulitis