Nasal Cavity Anatomy
What are the nares?
The anterior openings of the nasal cavity, formed by the two nostrils.
Where does the sphenoid sinus drain?
Into the roof of the nasal cavity above the superior concha.
What is the pharynx?
A structure that conducts air to the larynx and directs food to the oesophagus.
What is sinusitis?
Inflammation of the lining of the nasal cavity and the sinuses.
What is the olfactory nerve (CN I)?
The cranial nerve responsible for olfaction (sense of smell).
What are the nasal meatuses?
The spaces below the conchae, allowing for airflow and drainage.
What is the frontonasal duct?
It drains the frontonasal sinus into the middle meatus.
What is phonation?
The production of sounds by the larynx.
What can be caused by a deviated nasal septum?
Recurrent sinus infections, snoring, difficulty breathing, and sleep apnea.
What is the glossopharyngeal nerve?
CN IX
Supplies sensation to the oropharynx
What is the maxillary bone?
The bone that forms the floor of the nasal cavity and roof of the oral cavity.
What is the semilunar hiatus?
An opening where the maxillary sinus drains into the middle meatus.
What is the Valsalva manoeuvre?
A function of the larynx involving raising intra-abdominal pressure.
A patient with maxillary sinusitis may perceive pain where due to nerve irritation?
In the maxillary (upper) molars.
What are the opthalmic and maxillary divisions?
Innervate the maxillary, ethmoid, and sphenoid sinuses, as well as the nasal cavity.
What are the nasal conchae (or turbinates)?
These structures protrude from the lateral walls of the nasal cavities, increasing surface area and improving air filtration.
What is the frontonasal duct?
The anterior ethmoid air cells drain into this duct.
Structures in the nasal cavity that improve filtration, heating, and humidification of inspired air.
What is a Pancoast tumor?
A tumor located on the lung apex that can damage the recurrent laryngela nerve, resulting in dysphonia and vocal cord palsy.
What is the superior laryngeal branch?
Branch of the vagus nerve that supplies the cricothyroid muscle.
What is the cribriform plate?
The plate in the ethmoid bone that contains small perforations for olfactory nerve fibers.
What is the frontal sinus?
Located within the bone of the skull of the same name and is superior to the nasal cavity.
What is the epiglottis?
Cartilage that protects the airway and is located superior to the larynx.
What is dysphagia?
Difficulty or discomfort in swallowing, which can affect stroke patients.
Damage to the recurrent laryngeal nerve can cause:
Unilateral vocal cord paralysis, dysphonia, dysphagia, dyspnea