What are the nasal passages?

What are the nasal passages?

The nasal cavity lies above the bone that forms the roof of the mouth and curves down at the back to join the throat. It is divided into two sections called nasal passages. Air moves through these passages during breathing. The nasal passages filter and warm the air, and make it moist before it goes into the lungs.

How many nasal cavities are there?

The nose is divided into two cavities by the nasal septum. The superior, middle and inferior turbinates are rounded projections that run the length of the nasal cavity along the side of the nose. The area between each turbinate is called a meatus.

How many nasal sinuses are there?

There are four paired sinuses in humans, all lined with pseudostratified columnar epithelium: the maxillary sinuses, the largest ones located under the eyes in the maxillary bones;[2] the frontal sinuses, superior to the eyes within the frontal bone; the ethmoid sinuses, formed from several air cells within the ethmoid …

Where are your nasal passages?

Your nasal passages, also referred to as sinuses, are hollow spaces in the skull around your nose, cheeks, and forehead. These cavities act as a filtration system that leads to your lower airways (e.g. throat) and act as passages for mucus drainage.

Are nasal passages connected?

Each sinus cavity has ONLY one connection to our nasal passage. We have 4 major sinuses on each side. Frontal, Ethmoid, Maxillary and Sphenoid. Blockage of their channels, partial or complete, by either structural conditions or swollen membranes is the cause of Sinusitis.

Where are the 4 sinuses located?

Paranasal sinuses are a group of four paired air-filled spaces that surround the nasal cavity. The maxillary sinuses are located under the eyes; the frontal sinuses are above the eyes; the ethmoidal sinuses are between the eyes and the sphenoidal sinuses are behind the eyes.

Are all sinuses connected?

Are sinuses inside the skull?

The sinuses are hollow spaces in the skull and the face bones around your nose. There are four pairs of sinuses, named for the bones that they’re located in: The maxillary sinuses are located on each side of your nose, near the cheek bones.

What three groups are sinuses divided into?

The maxillary sinuses are located under the eyes; the frontal sinuses are above the eyes; the ethmoidal sinuses are between the eyes and the sphenoidal sinuses are behind the eyes. The sinuses are named for the facial bones in which they are located.

Do nasal passages connect?

Your sinuses are an important part of your respiratory system. They connect your nasal passages with the airways in your throat to create a breathing network you rely on every second of the day to operate effectively.

What is the anatomy of the nasal passages?

Anatomy of the Nasal Passages. The nasal passages function as a filter and air conditioner to protect the lower airways. This functionality is achieved by the complex, narrow, convoluted, and dynamic geometry of the nose. Many particles are efficiently filtered out, and infectious agents are addressed by the nasal immune system.

Are nasal passages harmful to the respiratory system?

NASAL PASSAGES: Anatomy of the Nose. This can be potentially harmful to the respiratory system membranes, since the mouth does not filter, warm, or moisten air. In addition to their role in the respiratory system, the nasal passages house cells called olfactory receptors, which are involved in the sense of smell.

How many conchae are there in the nasal cavity?

Projecting out of the lateral walls of the nasal cavity are curved shelves of bone. They are called conchae (or turbinates). The are three conchae – inferior, middle and superior. They project into the nasal cavity, creating four pathways for the air to flow.

How many cavities does the nasal septum divide?

The nasal septum divides the cavity into two cavities, also known as fossae. Each cavity is the continuation of one of the two nostrils. The nasal cavity is the uppermost part of the respiratory system and provides the nasal passage for inhaled air from the nostrils to the nasopharynx and rest of the respiratory tract .