Inner Wall (Nasal Wall)
The nasal septum, also called the inner or nasal wall, separates the two nasal cavities.
Note the deep groves in the septum for the vascular nervous canals.
Cribriform plate
Olfactory region
Superior conchae
Superior meatus
Middle conchae
Middle meatus
Inferior conchae
Inferior meatus
Nostrils
Nasal bone
Septum
Septal cartilage
Olfactory nerve
Ophthalmic nerve
Maxillary nerve
Ophthalmic nerve
Maxillary nerve
External carotid artery
Internal carotid artery
Nasal Anatomy:
Outer Wall and Inner Wall
Outer Wall and Inner Wall
Nasal Innervation:
Outer Wall and Inner Wall
Outer Wall and Inner Wall
Nasal Vasculature:
Outer Wall and Inner Wall
Outer Wall and Inner Wall
Anatomy of the
Human Nasal Cavity
The nose is the first organ of the upper respiratory tract in the respiratory system, and its main function is the supply and conditioning of inhaled air to the rest of the respiratory tract and the lungs. Another function is to filter the air by removing particulates. Nasal hair in the nostrils traps large particles preventing their entry into the lungs.
Outer Wall (Lateral Wall)
The outer wall is convoluted into the folds of conchae which increase resistance to the airflow and produce intimate contact between inspired air and the mucosa.
There are three conchaes in each cavity: the superior, middle and inferior conchae producing three irregular passages inside the nasal cavity called superior, middle and inferior meatuses.
Total surface area of nasal cavity is only 150 cm2 and total volume is 15 mL.
Outer Wall (Lateral Wall)
The olfactory nerves convey special sensory information related to smell. They convey nerve impulses arising from the olfactory neurons in the mucosa via axons that converse through the cribriform plate to the olfactory bulb in the central nervous system (CNS).
Inner Wall (Nasal Wall)
Other nerve supply to the nose include the first two branches of the trigeminal nerve—the ophthalmic nerve and the maxillary nerve.
When irritating agents are exposed intranasally, nerval response may result in the secretion of mucus to dilute the irritant(s), stimulate its removal, and reduce nasal exposure and absorption.
Outer Wall (Lateral Wall)
The nasal cavity is well supplied with blood from branches of both the internal carotid artery and the external carotid artery.
Branches from the external carotid artery are the sphenopalatine artery, the greater palatine artery, the superior labial artery, and the angular artery. These arteries supply the mucous membrane, conchaes, as well as the ethmoidal and sphenoid sinuses with fresh blood.
Inner Wall (Nasal Wall)
The nasal cavity is well supplied with blood from branches of both the internal carotid artery and the external carotid artery.
The main branches from the interior carotid are the anterior ethmoidal artery and the posterior ethmoidal artery that enter the nasal cavity through openings in the cribriform plate. This artery supplies fresh blood to the anterior part of the inner and outer wall of the nose.
TAP TO CONTINUEReferences:Gizurarson S. Anatomical and Histological Factors Affecting Intranasal Drug and Vaccine Delivery. Current Drug Delivery 2002;9(6):566-582.
References:Gizurarson S. Anatomical and Histological Factors Affecting
Intranasal Drug and Vaccine Delivery. Current Drug Delivery 2002;9(6):566-582.
Intranasal Drug and Vaccine Delivery. Current Drug Delivery 2002;9(6):566-582.
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