The Nose 1. Overview The nose is the primary organ for breathing and smelling . It also filters, warms, and humidifies the air before it reaches the lungs. It is divided into: External nose – the visible part on the face. Internal nose (nasal cavity) – the hollow space inside. 2. External Nose Nasal bridge: The bony upper part of the nose. Nostrils (nares): Openings for air entry. Nasal tip: The protruding end of the nose. Ala: The rounded flared sides of the nostrils. Columella: The tissue separating the two nostrils. 3. Internal Nose (Nasal Cavity) Nasal septum: Divides the nasal cavity into right and left sides; made of bone and cartilage. Nasal conchae (turbinates): Superior, middle, inferior – bony curves that increase surface area for air filtration, warming, and humidification. Meatuses: Air passages beneath each concha. Olfactory epithelium: Located at the top; contains smell receptors. Respiratory epithelium: Linin...
The Anatomy of the Nose The nose is the part of the respiratory tract that sits front and center on your face. You use it to breathe air in and to stop and smell the roses. The nose’s exterior anatomy includes the nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, nerves, blood supply, and lymphatics. The external part of the nose includes the root (between the eyes), the dorsum that runs down the middle, and the apex at the tip of the nose. Two openings called nostrils (nares) allow air in. They’re divided by the nasal septum (dividing wall of cartilage and bone), and the parts that surround the nostrils are called the alae (ala singular). The nose has a bony part that’s formed by the bony nasal septum, the nasal bones, and parts of the maxillae, palatine, and frontal bones. The cartilaginous part of the nose is formed by two lateral cartilages, two alar cartilages, and a septal cartilage. The nasal cavity The nares serve as the entryway to the nasal cavities, which open posteriorly into th...