The nose is located on the face and has several purposes. Physiologically, the nose humidifies and warms incoming air before it reaches the lungs and provides a large surface area for the sense of smell. Aesthetically, the nose is a central feature of the human face and important for recognition and attraction purposes. The nose is a complex anatomical structure with several bones and cartilages forming its structure.
External Nose
The external portion of the nose includes the bridge, nares (nose holes) and root. The bones that form this portion of the nose are the frontal bone at the top of the bridge, the nasal bones (one on either side) at the bridge, the maxilla on either side and at the root of the nose, and the septal cartilage, which forms the structure of the nose tip.
The Central Nasal Cavity
The central nasal cavity is dominated by the septum. This is composed of the septal cartilage at the tip, the ethmoid bone in the upper and central parts of the internal nose, the vomer and maxilla at the base, and the sphenoid bone in the deepest portion of the central nasal cavity.
The Upper Nasal Cavity
The upper portion or roof of the nasal cavity is composed of the frontal bone, nasal bones, ethmoid and sphenoid bones.
The Lower Nasal Cavity
The lower nasal cavity or nasal floor is composed of the palitine bone, portions of the maxilla and the pterygoid bone in the back of the nasal cavity where it joins the throat.
The Deep Nasal Cavity
The deepest portions of the nasal cavity are formed by the ethmoid, sphenoid, vomer and pterygoid bones. The ethmoid sinus is centrally located in the deep part of the nasal cavity and the sphenoid sinus is located behind the deep nasal cavity.
Conchae
The conchae are portions of bone that create shelves within the nasal cavity and provide increased surface area for conditioning inhaled air. There are three pairs of conchae in the nose: The upper two are projections of the maxillary bone and the lower one, called the inferior conchae, is a separate bone. The maxillary sinuses are located below the eyes in the maxilla and connect to the nasal cavity between the upper conchae.
References
- "Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice"; Susan Standring (Editor); 2008
- UC San Diego Medical Center: Anatomy of the Nasal Cavity
