Nasal Cavity Functional Anatomy

Nostrils

Lead to nasal cavity, houses three turbinate bones - nasal conchae, and nasal meatus

Nasal conchae

Increases surface area and produce a turbulent airflow to delay it for warming, humidifying and cleaning the air to protect lungs

Vestibule

Continuous with outside skin, lines with keratinised stratified squamous epithelium to withstand mechanical insults - scratching and abrasion

Roof of cavity

Lined with sensory cells of olfactory mucosa to help with small sensation

Posterior part of cavity

Lined with respiratory epithelium, ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium with goblet cells that secrete mucus - trap dust, debris and pathogens, cilia beat in unison towards pharynx to remove mucus with damaging foreign particles

Paranasal sinuses

Hollow cavities in facial bones that warm, humidify and filter air, lighten the skull and enhance voice resonance