The nose is a structure of the face with the two primary physiological functions of smell and conditioning inhaled air. The nose also has an aesthetic value in facial recognition and beauty. The nose has a very large surface area internally, which helps accomplish both the olfactory (smelling) and air conditioning functions. This large surface is created by a complex series of channels and sinuses created by several bones and cartilage formations.
Nasal Bone
The nasal bone is composed of two halves that form the bridge of the nose. The upper portion of the nasal bone is attached to the frontal bone of the forehead.
Maxilla
The maxilla is the bone that forms most of the face between the eyes and mouth. Portions of this bone are attached to the sides of the nose and the nostrils.
Vomer
The vomer is a bone internal to the nose that forms the base of the nasal septum (the structure that separates the left and right sides of the nose).
Septum
The nasal septum is a combination of the ethmoid in the upper and central portion, the vomer and maxilla at the base, the sphenoid and ethmoid intenal-central portion, and the cartilage at the tip of the nose.
Chonchae
The conchae, also called the turbinate bones, are protrusions of the internal nose that increase the surface area for conditioning the incoming air. These structures resemble shelves within the nose and are composed of extensions of the ethmoid and maxillary bones.
Palatine and Pterygoid
The lower portion of the internal nose and sinuses are formed by the palatine bone and pterygoid bones. The pterygoid is the deepest portion of the nose where it joins the throat and the palatine is the bone that, along with the palatine process of the maxilla, separates the nose from the oral cavity.
References
- "Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice"; Susan Standring (Editor); 2008
- UC San Diego Medical Center: Anatomy of the Nasal Cavity
