Learn about the structure, divisions, openings and vasculature of the nasal cavity, an olfactory and respiratory organ. Find out how the nose warms and humidifies the air, drains the sinuses and lacrimal ducts, and can be affected by infection and trauma.

Learn about the nasal cavity, the upper respiratory tract that forms the interiors of the nose and is responsible for smell, respiration, and speech. Find out its location, structure, divisions, walls, bones, sinuses, blood supply, innervation, and more.

The role of the nasal cavity is to humidify and warm the inspired air. Also, as the air passes through, the nasal cavity removes minute airborne particles and other debris before the air reaches the lower airways. Columnar epithelium lines the nasal cavity.

Learn about the external and internal parts of the nose, the bones, cartilages, apertures, channels and regions of the nasal cavity. Find out how the nasal cavity is involved in respiration, olfaction, speech and taste, and what are the common clinical problems affecting it.

Nasal cavities: These are hollow spaces where air flows in and out. You have two of them — one on each side. Mucus membranes line your nasal cavities. Nerve cells: These cells communicate with your brain and give you your sense of smell. Nose hairs: The hairs inside your nose trap dirt and dust that would otherwise end up in your nasal passages.

The nasal cavity assists in respiration, olfaction, conditioning of inspired air, and immune defense. The large, humidified surface area of the nasal cavity makes it an ideal location to adjust the quality of inhaled air before oxygen exchange in the lungs.

Beside and above the uppermost concha is the olfactory region of the nasal cavity. The rest of the cavity is the respiratory portion. The respiratory area is lined with a moist mucous membrane with fine hairlike projections known as cilia, which serve to collect debris.

The nose is the protruding structure at the center of the face that serves as the organ of smell and entrance of the respiratory system. The paranasal sinuses (maxillary, frontal, ethmoidal, ) are air-filled cavities within the bones of the skull that surround the nasal cavity.

Learn the anatomy of the nose, the nasal cavity and the paranasal sinuses with 105 illustrations and definitions. This e-Anatomy module covers the external nose, the nasal cartilages, the nasal septum, the nasal concha and meatus, the bones, the vessels and nerves.