There are more people in the world who think about the fact that they do not like the shape of their nose than those who wonder if they can make it breathe better. Of course, everyone knows about everyday care, treatment for diseases, etc. But how many of us think about what the nasal cavity is?
Anatomy of the respiratory tract
Lung tissue is a fairly delicate structure. That is why the air, before making its way to them, must be cleaned of dust and part of microbes, moistened and warmed. This state of his is achieved with the help of a complex breathing apparatus with a complex structure.
Before reaching the lungs, air passes through the trachea, above the larynx and nasopharynx, as well as the upper part - the cavity where it enters immediately after inhalation. It is here that its primary processing takes place.
The structure of the nose
Few people think about it, but breathing provides us with a very perfect and complex organ. Perhaps that is why any, even small problems instantly affect your well-being. Conventionally, this body can be divided into two largeparts:
- outer nose;
- nasal cavity;
- adnexal sinuses.
The part that everyone sees just by looking at their face in the mirror is formed by small bones and cartilage. Its final form is formed around the 15th year of life.
The structure of the nasal cavity is so complex due to the fact that it is here that the temperature of the inhaled air is regulated and cleansed. The vestibule is lined with squamous epithelium, there are small hairs that trap particles of dust and microbes. Three curved bone plates protrude into the cavity, which form the so-called shells. Some of their areas are lined with sensitive cells, thanks to which a person has a sense of smell. The paranasal sinuses - maxillary, frontal, main and ethmoid - have access here through narrow passages. What are they made of and why are they needed?
The paranasal cavities
It would seem, why complicate things? Let the air simply pass into the lungs, let its path be short and simple. But evolutionary development ordered otherwise, and a person has more than just a nose. The nasal cavity has four additional sinuses.
- Maxillary, or maxillary. This sinus is the most voluminous - up to 30 cubic centimeters. It is shaped like a tetrahedron. This cavity communicates with the main (main) through a passage in the common wall. In the projection on the front of the face, these sinuses are located on the sides of the nose just below the eyes.
- Frontal. This sinus, on the contrary, is very small - only3-5 cubic centimeters. It is located in the frontal bone and also communicates with the nose through a narrow passage.
- Latticed. These sinuses are made up of individual bony cells, which is why they are sometimes called the labyrinth. These cavities are located in a rather inaccessible place and border on the inside of the orbit and the brain.
- Main (main). This part is the least studied, because it is located deep in the skull next to the most important organs - the carotid artery, brain, sinus venosus, trigeminal and ophthalmic nerves, etc.
Like the nose itself, the nasal cavity and sinuses are lined with epithelium and mucosa. This allows not only to warm, but also to humidify the air that enters here.
Functions
Both the nose as a whole and its individual parts solve a lot of important tasks. First, as already mentioned, the hairs in the vestibule trap dust. Secondly, the air, passing through the winding nasal passages, leaves some of the bacteria on the mucosa. Thirdly, its intense friction raises its temperature, and contact with the cells of the inside of the sinuses also raises its humidity. In addition, all cavities play the role of a resonator and participate in the formation of the voice, giving it an individual timbre.
Diseases
Despite everything, the nasal cavity, the anatomy and purpose of which is directly related to contact with pathogenic bacteria, sometimes becomes inflamed by itself. As a rule, this turns into rhinitis, that is, a runny nose. At the same time, breathing through the nose is difficult, there isedema, decreased olfactory function, mucus flow. This state is familiar to everyone. In addition to the fact that a person is forced to breathe through the mouth, that is, to deliver air that has not been properly processed into the lungs, there may be a lack of oxygen, that is, slight hypoxia. It is expressed in headache, poor performance, fatigue. Well, if we are talking about children, then breathing through the mouth leads to improper formation of the facial skeleton, which can cause problems with teeth and chest development, as well as hearing and memory disorders.
Worth considering: despite the fact that inflammation of the nasal cavity, that is, rhinitis or a runny nose, seems to be a nonsense disease that is not worth close medical attention, if left untreated, serious complications can result from such a neglected attitude.
Sinus symptoms and treatment
Yes, a badly treated runny nose or flu can turn into much more serious diseases, such as sinusitis. Inflammation of the paranasal sinuses can be serous, that is, they simply have swelling inside, or purulent. In the second case, the symptoms will be more acute.
There are sinusitis (inflammation of the maxillary sinus), frontal sinusitis (frontal), ethmoiditis (lattice) and sphenoiditis (basic). They can be involved in the disease both individually and in pairs, as well as all together.
The main symptoms are headache, as well as a feeling of pressure in the sinuses. An increase in temperature is often observed, all this is accompanieddifficulty breathing, fatigue, and sometimes even lacrimation and photophobia. In the chronic course of the disease, the symptoms may be less acute, sometimes there is only a loss of working capacity and a headache.
Before the appointment of treatment, a diagnosis is carried out, which includes an external examination and radiography. After that, the patient can be hospitalized, and in not too serious cases, he can be treated at home with the drugs that the doctor prescribes. As a rule, their list includes antibiotics. Ignoring sinusitis can lead to even more serious consequences - inflammation of the meninges.
Care
From an early age, you need to get used to the fact that the nose, the nasal cavity needs regular hygiene. External respiratory passages must be cleaned of waste products, if necessary, they must also be moistened. The same applies to periods of rhinitis: blowing out the mucus must be done efficiently and carefully so that its particles do not fall into the passages connecting the nose to the ear.
As a rule, doctors talk about the big role in the prevention of sinusitis of such a simple measure as debridement or washing the nasal cavity. This is not the most pleasant procedure, but it helps to get rid of pathogenic bacteria that have settled on the mucous membrane.
