Physiology of nose and paranasal

sinuses

Ratna Kusumawati
• Nose is devided into 2 parts :
 external nose
 internal nose (cavum nasi)

• Septum nasi devides cavum nasi

into 2 cavum nasi
EXTERNAL NOSE
• Cavum nasi communicates with:
–Exterior through anterior nares
– nasopharynx through choana
–Paranasal siinuses through ostium
–Auris media through tuba auditiva
INTERNAL NOSE
Vascular Supply
 Nerve Supply
Innervation
 Nerve supply
1. Sensory :
- n. optalmicus
- n. maxillaris
2. n. olfactorius  smell
3. Autonomic nerve :
- sympatic : vasoconstiction, hyposecretion
- parasympatic : vasodilatation,
hypersecretion
 The function of nose
1. Respiration  airway
2. Air conditioning:
The air is warmed and moistened before it reaches the
lung
3. Protection :
- Vibrissae/hair
- Cilia  Transport of foreign particles is carried out via
action of cilia moving the mucous blanket with its
entrapped particles
- Lyzozym
- sneezing
4. Resonance
5. Tuba eustachii function
6. Drainage:
- paranasal sinuses
- nasolacrimal duct
7. Olfaction :
- Olfaction is an important function of the
nose & it has protective value against
approaching dangers
Olfaction
 Purpose of sinuses
 Resonating chamber for voice
 Decrease weight of skull
 Warm & moisten air
 Shock absorbers
• Consist :
1. Mucosa
– Cilliated columnar epithelial cells
– Noncilliated columnar cells
– Basal cells
• 2. Goblet Cells
– Glycoproteins—viscosity and elasticity
– Innervation
– Basement membrane
– Submucosal glands
 Mucous Blanket
• Two layers
– Liquid layer
– Gel layer
• Function
– Superficial layer traps bacteria and particulate
matter.
– Enzymes, antibodies, immune cells

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MUCUS DRAINAGE OF SINUSES:

Mucociliary mechanism

Mucus travel to the ostium

Cilia propel mucus into the

meatus

Carried to pharynx

Mucous from ant. Groups travels to lateral

pharyngeal gutter

In infection, lateral lymphoid bands get hypertrophied

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