The Nose and Associated Structures: Part I

Abstract

The nose and nasal cavity consists of the nasal bones and cartilages, the nares, vestibule, septum, lateral nasal wall and roof. This is surrounded by the paranasal sinuses (frontal, maxillary, ethmoid and sphenoid) into which they drain. Diseases in one can affect the others. The lateral nasal wall contains several, highly vascular turbinates (inferior, middle, superior and occasionally, supreme) and is the site of drainage for the ostiomeatal complex and nasolacrimal duct. At the back of the nasal cavity are the ethmoid sinuses and the nasopharynx. The ethmoid sinuses are a complex bony labyrinth, directly beneath the anterior cranial fossa. These are situated between the orbits, separated from them by a paper-thin lamina papyracea.