About Nose

The nose is the primary olfactory organ of the human body responsible for the intake, cooling, and filtering of air from the atmosphere and transports it to the lungs. The nose is a canal connecting the nostrils to the throat. The septum divides the nose into two parts. The nasal septum is made up of thin bones and cartilage. It may be naturally bent in some people. The nostrils converge into the nasal cavity which is made up of bones at the root of the palate and the skull. About three to four turbinates (bone projections) reside on each side of the nasal cavity, responsible for increasing the surface area for dampening the air. The cavity roof contains nerve cells to detect the smell, and this area is known as the olfactory area. Sinuses are hollow cavities lining the nasal passage. The sinuses keep the skull’s weight lighter and moisten the air. They produce a dilute fluid called mucus that filters and blocks out germs protecting the body. The secreted mucus follows a specific trajectory, and blockage or inflammation in this trajectory leads to a condition called sinusitis. Four types of sinuses are present in the body, namely, frontal, ethmoid, sphenoid, and maxillary. These are located behind the forehead, between the eyes, and behind the cheekbones, respectively.