Nasal cavity
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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The cavity of the nose (cavum nasi) is divided by the septum of the nose into the right and left halves. In front of the face, the nasal cavity opens with nostrils, behind it through the choana, it communicates with the nasopharynx. As part of the septum nasi (septum nasi) distinguish membranous, cartilaginous and bone parts. The membranous and cartilaginous parts are mobile. In each half of the nasal cavity, the anterior part is distinguished - the vestibule and the actual nasal cavity located behind. The threshold of the nasal cavity (vestibulum nasi) at the top is limited by a slight elevation - the threshold of the nose (limen nasi), formed by the upper edge of the large cartilage of the wing of the nose. On the side walls of the nasal cavity there are three upwardly projecting nasal conchae. Under the upper, middle and lower nasal shells there are indentations: upper, middle and lower nasal passages. Upper nasal passage is present only in the posterior sections of the nasal cavity. Between the septum of the nose and the medial surface of the nasal conchae on each side is a common nasal passage, which looks like a narrow vertical slit oriented in the sagittal plane. In the upper nasal passage, the sphenoid sinus and the posterior cells of the latticed bone are opened; in the middle nasal passage - the frontal sinus (through the funnel), the maxillary sinus (through the semilunar cleft), as well as the front and middle cells of the latticed bone. The middle nasal passage with the clinonus aperture communicates with the pterygo-palatine fossa; lower nasal passage - with an orbit (through the nose-tear duct).
The mucous membrane of the vestibule of the nasal cavity is lined with a flat epithelium, which is the continuation of the skin. Under the epithelium in the connective tissue layer, the sebaceous glands and the roots of the bristle hair are laid. Olfactory and respiratory regions are distinguished from the nasal cavity. The olfactory area (regio olfactoria) occupies the upper nasal concha, the upper part of the middle nasal concha and the upper part of the septum of the nose. The olfactory and respiratory regions are lined with ciliate pseudo-layered epithelium. In the epithelial cover of the olfactory region there are neurosensory bipolar cells. The epithelium of the rest of the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity (respiratory region, regio respiratoria) contains a large number of goblet cells that secrete mucus. Mucus covers the epithelium, moistens the air. Due to the movement of cilia, mucus with foreign particles is removed outside. The own plate of the mucosa is thin, contains a considerable number of elastic fibers, as well as numerous serous and mucous glands. In the thickness of the plate of the mucosa, there are many blood vessels, especially thin-walled veins, whose presence helps warm the inhaled air. The muscular plate of the mucosa is weakly developed, the submucosa is thin, contains vascular and nerve plexuses, lymphoid tissue, obese and other cells, glands.
The air from the nasal cavity through the choana enters the nasal, then into the mouth part of the pharynx, then into the larynx. The structure of the pharynx is described above.
X-ray of the nasal cavity. Radiography of the nasal cavity is performed in the nasolabial and nasolobic projections. The x-ray shows nasal conchae, nasal passages, septum of the nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses.
Innervation of the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity: sensitive (anterior part) - anterior latticed nerve of the nasospernic nerve; posterior part of lateral wall of nasal cavity and nasal septum - nasonephalic nerve and posterior nasal branches (of maxillary nerve). Glands of the mucous membrane receive secretory innervation from the veseloideus.
Blood supply: wedge-palatal artery (from the maxillary artery), anterior and posterior latticed arteries (from the eye artery). Venous outflow: wedge-palatal vein (inflow of the pterygoid plexus).
Outflow of lymph: in the submandibular and chin lymph nodes.
[Age features of the nasal cavity
In the newborn, the nasal cavity is low (its height is 17.5 mm) and narrow. The nasal conchs are relatively thick. The upper nasal passage is absent, the middle and the lower are poorly developed. The nasal shells do not reach the septum of the nasal cavity, the general nasal passage remains free, and through it the breathing of the newborn is carried out, the hoans are low. By 6 months the height of the nasal cavity increases to 22 mm and the middle nasal passage is formed, to 2 years - the lower, after 2 years - the upper. By 10 years, the nasal cavity increases in length by 1.5 times, and by 20 years - by 2 times. By this age, its width increases. Of the paranasal sinuses, the newborn has only a weakly developed maxillary. The remaining sinuses begin to form after birth. The frontal sinus appears in the 2nd year of life, the sphenoid sinusitis - by 3 years, the cells of the latticed bone - to 3-6 years. By 8-9 years, the maxillary sinus occupies almost the entire body of the bone. The hole through which the maxillary sinus communicates with the nasal cavity, the child 2 years oval, and to
7 years - round. The frontal sinus by the age of 5 has the dimensions of a pea. Narrowing downwards, through a lattice funnel, it communicates with the middle nasal passage. The size of the sphenoid sinus in a child of 6-8 years is 2-3 mm. The sinuses of the latticed bone densely adjoin each other at the age of 7; By the age of 14 they are similar in structure to the lattice cells of an adult.