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The Nose

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...
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The Anatomy of the Nose

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...

Anatomy and the Human Blockhead

Anatomy and the Human Blockhead 🧠 The Anatomy Behind the Illusion 1. The Nasal Cavity Is Deeper Than It Looks Inside the nose is a long, air-filled chamber that extends straight back toward the throat. When you look at someone’s nostrils from outside, it seems like the space ends quickly—but it actually continues much further back in a straight line. The average adult nasal cavity is 7–8 cm (about 3 inches) deep. It’s shaped like a tunnel, not an upward turn the way people often imagine. This is the space a performer uses. 2. What the Performer Is Not Doing They are NOT piercing bone. They are NOT entering the brain (the “brain through the nose” myth). They are NOT going anywhere near the skull plate between the nasal cavity and the brain. The nail simply follows the natural path of the nasal passage . 3. Why It Looks So Dramatic Most people assume the nose turns upward right away, so the straight-back direction feels wrong. The object is long, rigid,...

Anatomy and Physiology of the Nose and Throat

Anatomy and Physiology of the Nose and Throat What is the human nose? The human nose is the organ of smell located in the middle of the face. The internal part of the nose lies above the roof of the mouth. The human nose consists of: external meatus - triangular-shaped projection in the center of the face. external nostrils - two chambers divided by the septum. septum - made up primarily of cartilage and bone and covered by mucous membranes. The cartilage also gives shape and support to the outer part of the nose. nasal passages - passages that are lined with mucous membranes and tiny hairs (cilia) that help to filter the air. sinuses - four pairs of air-filled cavities, also lined with mucous membranes. What are sinuses? The sinuses are cavities, or air-filled pockets, near the nasal passage. As in the nasal passage, the sinuses are lined with mucous membranes. There are four different types of sinuses: ethmoid sinus - located inside the face, around the a...

DIAGRAM OF THE HUMAN NOSE-3

DIAGRAM OF THE HUMAN NOSE-3 Here’s a clear textual breakdown of a diagram of the human nose (I can also generate an actual labeled image if you want): 1. External Nose (visible part): Nasal bridge : The upper bony part of the nose. Nostrils (nares): Openings for air entry. Nasal tip : The pointed end of the nose. Ala (plural: alae): The flared sides around the nostrils. Columella : Tissue that separates the two nostrils. 2. Nasal Cavity (internal): Nasal septum : Divides the nasal cavity into right and left sides; made of cartilage and bone. Nasal conchae (turbinates): Three curved bony structures (superior, middle, inferior) that increase surface area for warming and humidifying air. Nasal meatuses : Passages beneath each concha for air flow. Olfactory epithelium : Located at the top of the nasal cavity; responsible for smell. Respiratory epithelium : Lines most of the nasal cavity; contains mucus-secreting cells. 3. Sinuses (connected t...

What diseases or disorders can the nose have?

What diseases or disorders can the nose have? The human nose, including the nasal passages and sinuses, can be affected by a wide variety of diseases and disorders, which are generally categorized as infectious, inflammatory/allergic, structural, or cancerous . 🦠 Infectious and Inflammatory Conditions These are the most common disorders and often involve the surrounding sinus cavities (rhinosinusitis). Common Cold (Acute Viral Rhinitis): A viral infection causing inflammation of the nasal lining, leading to runny nose (rhinorrhea), congestion, and sneezing. Sinusitis : Inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the paranasal sinuses. Acute Sinusitis: Usually follows a cold and is caused by viruses or bacteria. Chronic Sinusitis: Inflammation lasting 12 weeks or longer, often due to persistent infection, allergies, or nasal obstruction. Allergic Rhinitis (Hay Fever): An allergic reaction to airborne particles ( pollen , dust mites, pet dander). It causes persistent sneezing, itc...

TWIN PATHWAYS INTO THE BRAIN

TWIN PATHWAYS INTO THE BRAIN The phrase " Twin Pathways into the Brain " generally refers to the two main types of nerve fiber tracts that carry information into the Central Nervous System ( CNS —the brain and spinal cord) from the body and the environment: the Sensory (Afferent) Pathways and the Special Sense Pathways . However, in the context of general brain function, this phrase is often used specifically to describe the two major ascending sensory pathways that bring touch, pain, temperature, and body position information from the body up to the Somatosensory Cortex in the parietal lobe . 1. Sensory Pathways (Somatic Sensation) These two primary pathways are responsible for all touch, pain, temperature, and joint position information. A. Dorsal Column-Medial Lemniscal Pathway (DCML) Information Carried: Fine touch (discriminative touch), vibration, and proprioception (awareness of body position and movement). Speed: This is the faster pathway, necessary for rapi...