Nose, Nasal Cavity, and Paranasal Sinuses – Chapter 27

30 question-and-answer flashcards covering the anatomy of the nose, nasal cavity, and related epithelial linings.

What bones is the external nose attached to superiorly?

The nasal bones

To what structure is the external nose attached inferiorly?

The anterior nasal spine

What name is given to the lateral margins of the external nose?

Ala

What structure divides the nasal complex into right and left halves?

The nasal septum

The superior portion of the nasal cavity has holes that open into which plate of the ethmoid bone?

The cribriform plate

Which two bones together form the nasal septum?

The vomer bone and a portion of the ethmoid bone

Which bones of the hard palate create the floor of the nasal cavity?

The maxillae and palatal (palatine) bones

The lateral walls of the nasal cavity are made up of which two bones?

The ethmoid bone and the maxillae

The superior nasal concha is a projection of which bone?

The ethmoid bone

The middle nasal concha is a projection of which bone?

The ethmoid bone

The inferior nasal concha is classified as what type of bone?

A separate bone of its own

What type of epithelium lines the respiratory portion of the nasal cavity?

Pseudostratified columnar epithelium with goblet cells

Which specialized cells within the respiratory epithelium secrete mucus?

Goblet cells

What is the function of the mucus secreted in the nasal cavity?

It traps contaminants

Which cellular structures move mucus toward the anterior part of the nose?

Cilia

The nasal cavity marks the beginning of which bodily tract?

The respiratory tract

In which part of the nasal cavity is the olfactory epithelium primarily located?

The roof of the nasal cavity

Onto which concha does the olfactory epithelium extend?

The superior nasal concha

Along which part of the septum does the olfactory epithelium extend?

The upper nasal septum

The fibers contained within the olfactory epithelium are responsible for perceiving what?

Odors (sense of smell)

The cribriform plate is part of which cranial bone?

The ethmoid bone

Which paired facial bones contribute to the anterior part of the hard palate and floor of the nasal cavity?

The maxillae

Which paired bones located posteriorly help form the hard palate and nasal floor?

The palatal (palatine) bones

What descriptive term is given to the epithelial lining that contains cilia and goblet cells in the nasal cavity?

Respiratory epithelium

What substance in the nasal cavity traps contaminants from inhaled air?

Mucus

What is the ultimate purpose of cilia pushing mucus toward the nostrils?

Removal of the mucus and trapped contaminants from the nose

Which bone houses both the superior and middle nasal conchae?

The ethmoid bone

The inferior nasal concha differs from the superior and middle conchae because it is what?

A separate, independent bone

The holes in the roof of the nasal cavity allow passage of fibers related to which sense?

Olfaction (smell)

The respiratory epithelium in the nasal cavity is pseudostratified columnar; what two key features characterize this tissue?

The presence of goblet cells and cilia