Nose Anatomy

The nose anatomy and physiology are easy to grasp when you carefully study the nose's internal structure. The nose is the first organ of the respiratory system in the upper respiratory tract. It is prominently structured between the eyes and serves as the entrance of the respiratory tract that accommodates the olfactory organ.

The shape of the nose is rendered by the bones and the cartilage. When you see a nose anatomy diagram, you will realise that the nasal anatomy includes internal and external structures.

The external nose comprises three sections: frontal, basal, and lateral. The upper frontal region supports the nose through the two nasal bones that form the bridge of the nose.

Let’s take a closer look at the nose structure and function:

• Bone: The nasal bone is a flat and small skull bone it is a part of the facial skeleton and supports the bridge of the nose.
• Mucous Membrane: The mucous membrane is a part of the nose inner structure, and it lines the nose, sinuses, and throat. This helps moisturise and humidify the air that is breathed. It also produces sticky mucus that keeps the dust and debris from entering the nose. The hair-like structures in the nose, known as cilia, work with the mucus that confines these particles that can enter the nose when one breathes.
• Nasal Cavities: The nasal cavities are the hollow parts of the nose through which the air enters your lungs. It is divided into two sections; when you breathe, air passes through these passages.
• Nerve Cells: Your olfactory nerves are the first cranial nerve that enables your sense of smell and your olfactory system. The cranial nerve is the shortest sensory nerve that starts in your brain and ends in the upper inside part of the nose's inner structure.
• Nostrils: Nostrils are the external opening to the nasal cavity on the face.
• Septum: The separation that runs down the centre of your nose is called the septum. It comprises firm cartilage and bone and separates the nasal cavities.
• Sinuses: The hollow, air-filled spaces in the skull are called sinuses. They are located behind the forehead, nasal bones, eyes, and cheeks and are responsible for sending mucus into the nasal cavity.
• Turbinates: Turbinates are the small parts of the nose structure that assist in humidifying and cleansing the air as it passes through your nasal cavity.
• The External Nose: The external nose is a prominent feature of the face with a pyramid-like shape. The skeleton of the external nose comprises both bony and cartilaginous elements. The nasal root is situated upwards and connects to the brow. The nose structure is such that the apex of the nose concludes on the lower end with a rounded tip. The part of the nose that extends between the apex and the root is called the dorsum. The nostrils are located right below the apex of the nose, whereas the alae nasi and the nasal septum border the nostrils laterally and medially.

A nose anatomy diagram can give better clarity on different parts of the nose. Now that we understand the nose anatomy and physiology, it’s time to understand the function of the nose.

While it is common knowledge that the primary function of the nose is to inhale oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide, not many are aware that it also contributes to hearing and tasting. Here are the prominent functions of the nose:

• Inhalation: Respiration begins from the nose. When you inhale, the oxygen enters your nose through the nostrils. The nasal cavities are connected to the choana, which is subsequently connected to the nasopharynx. The air then enters the oropharynx before journeying to the lungs through the larynx, trachea, and bronchi.
• Contributes to the sound and appearance of an individual: The nose plays a significant role in the symmetry of the face. Additionally, how a person sounds also relies heavily on the resonance of their nasal cavity. This is because sound travels through the nose and not the pharynx when speaking or singing. The voice is amplified as the nasal cavities resonate with sound.
• Filters the air that is breathed: The walls of the nasal cavity are covered with cilia which are hair-like structures and mucus that together refrain dust and harmful particles from entering your body.
• Moistens and cleans the inhaled air: The air that is inhaled is humidified by the cilia before it is moved to the lungs. The nasal hair absorbs the heat in the carbon dioxide and releases it at the time of exhalation. The nasal conchae help stir the air in the nasal cavity for an extended period ensuring that it is appropriately humidified and clarified.
• Provide a sense of smell: The olfactory sensory neurons deem the nose to be an organ of smell. These neurons are found in a small patch of tissue, are situated deep inside the nose, and are responsible for providing the sense of smell.
• Affords a sense of taste: The chemicals that are released by foods activate the olfactory receptors by travelling up the nose when an individual chews their food. They combine with the taste buds to determine the true flavour of the food.
• Once you know how the nose internal structure plays a role in its functionality, you can take better care of yourself.

After the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals learned the importance of taking care of their health. To help them in their endeavour, insurance providers included COVID-19 coverage under their comprehensive health insurance policies.

A comprehensive medical insurance plan is designed to help you take care of emergency medical situations. However, before investing in any medical insurance plan, it is advised to check your specific healthcare requirements to find suitable coverage. Another important tip is to buy health insurance online to help you save on your premiums.

The comprehensive health insurance by Tata AIG comes with a COVID-19 cover to secure the insurance holder against the looming threat of the virus. In addition to COVID-19 coverage, insurance holders can also avail of several other benefits of health insurance that can come to their aid in times of distress. A comprehensive medical insurance plan can help cover the cost of treatment and hospitalisation so that the patient can focus on their speedy recovery instead of worrying about their finances.