Nasal cavity
Learning objectives
After completing this study unit you will be able to:
- Identify the boundaries of the nasal cavity.
- Name the main functions of the nasal cavity.
- Describe the key features of the nasal cavity.
Watch videos
The nasal cavities are spaces within the anterior aspect of the cranium, located directly behind the external nose. The left and right cavities are separated in the midline by a central nasal septum (medial wall) and both chambers are also bounded by a roof, floor and lateral wall.
Each cavity has three regions: vestibule region, respiratory region and the olfactory region. The vestibule is located within the nares, it is lined by skin and houses hair follicles. The olfactory region is the most superior part of the cavity space, it is lined by olfactory epithelium and contains olfactory receptors. The remaining nasal cavity forms the large respiratory region. This area is lined by respiratory epithelium with ciliated and mucous cells and contains the nasal conchae and meatuses.
These video tutorials will introduce you to the nasal cavity and its key features.
Take a quiz
Expand your focus and test yourself on the entire nasal region with our customizable quiz:
Browse atlas
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:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/concha-nasalis-inferior-2/C5eoR1nqYWSBMIJjjFWNQ_Concha_nasalis_inferior_01.png "Inferior nasal concha (Concha nasalis inferior); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/meatus-nasi-superior/yA6bmV7J5JqK4JvAfaqmcQ_Meatus_nasi_superior_01.png "Superior nasal meatus (Meatus nasalis superior); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
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:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/recessus-sphenoethmoidalis/QrSk7UlUgYQlB2aVDddFA_Recessus_sphenoethmoidalis_01.png "Sphenoethmoidal recess (Recessus sphenoethmoidalis); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
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:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/limen-nasi/ZDswK85ILz1yQUFzcbOYQ_Limen_nasi_01.png "Limen nasi; Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/vestibulum-nasi/PqRE8tdpKgnpGgzAZUaM2w_Vestibulum_nasi_01.png "Nasal vestibule (Vestibulum nasi); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/septum-nasi/a9Hm1s6ocBwHbqH9s7mSw_Septum_nasi_01.png "Nasal septum (Septum nasi); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/cartilago-septi-nasi/qMOOOtvIgG7MuCfVdAag_Cartilago_septi_nasi_01.png "Cartilage of nasal septum (Cartilago septi nasi); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/processus-posterior-cartilaginis-septi-nasi/QyZKAr0WXlmKHJWKiJhAQ_Cartilago_septi_nasi__processus_posterior_01.png "Posterior process of cartilage of nasal septum (Processus posterior cartilaginis septi nasi); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/lamina-perpendicularis-ossis-ethmoidalis-2/D5t5SIw9HrhcmR20uYUug_Lamina_perpendicularis_ossis_ethmoidalis_01.png "Perpendicular plate of ethmoid bone (Lamina perpendicularis ossis ethmoidalis); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
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:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/processus-palatinus-maxillae-4/K6HSZ4uz8YKQDdggm1cKw_Proc._palatinus_maxillae_01.png "Palatine process of maxilla (Processus palatinus maxillae); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/lamina-horizontalis-ossis-palatini/7htHYDJ664upQyTQKn652w_Lamina_horizontalis_ossis_palatini_01.png "Horizontal plate of palatine bone (Lamina horizontalis ossis palatini); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/spina-nasalis-posterior/ZFPEarbYbgLNhlNKqfnbg_Spina_nasalis_posterior_01.png "Posterior nasal spine of palatine bone (Spina nasalis posterior ossis palatini); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/palatum-durum/0ddRWEf03tzLMxxWWYbx0w_Palate_durum_01.png "Hard palate (Palatum durum); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
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:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/choana-2/lUpz19dPilR8KNni3vKRSg_Choanae_01.png "Choana; Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/ostium-pharyngeum-tubae-auditivae/qeEBZ2bKpGTblEyOTEgVQ_Ostium_pharyngeum_tubae_auditivae_01.png "Pharyngeal opening of auditory tube (Ostium pharyngeum tubae auditivae); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/tonsilla-pharyngea/03J3a9sAgRPP5wWtwpboLQ_Tonsilla_pharyngea_01.png "Pharyngeal tonsil (Tonsilla pharyngea); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
Summary
| Skeletal framework | Ethmoid bone, sphenoid bone, frontal bone, vomer, nasal bone (2), maxilla (2), palatine bone (2), lacrimal bone (2) and inferior nasal conchae bone (2) |
| Boundaries | Roof – cribriform plate Floor – hard palate Medial wall – nasal septum Lateral Wall – houses the conchae and meatuses |
| Apertures | Anterior - nostrils Posterior - nasopharynx (choana) Superior - cribriform plate Inferior - Incisive canal Posterosuperior - sphenopalatine foramen |
| Key Features | Nasal vestibule - Nasal hair Olfactory region - Cribriform plate - Olfactory epithelium and receptors Respiratory region - Superior, middle and inferior nasal concha - Inferior nasal meatus, middle nasal meatus, superior nasal meatus and the sphenoethmoidal reces |
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