About Nose
The nose is the organ of smell in our body. It not only helps to smell but also helps in breathing. This organ is made up of bone, cartilage, and soft tissues and is distinctly visible on the face. The nose contains olfactory receptors that help in generating signals for identification of smell by the brain. It is believed that the nose evolved from a simple organ of olfaction to detect chemicals in aquatic organisms to a complex structure responsible for breathing, smelling, and tasting in higher vertebrates. The mammals exhibit the most evolved forms of the nose.
Structure of Nose
The structure of the nose is a complex design composed of bones, cartilage, and soft tissue. The external structure of the nose is somewhat triangular and is primarily shaped by two bones. The internal structure includes a cavity lined by mucus membrane and hair follicles that keep away foreign particles and humidify the inhaled air.
The nasal cavity is divided by a nasal septum. At the base of the nasal cavity lie the two nostrils that act as an entry to the nose. The nose is mainly innervated by the branches of the trigeminal nerve and olfactory nerve. Blood supply to both the external and internal nose is taken care of by various facial arteries that branch out from the carotids.
Table of Content
- About Nose
- Diagram of Nose
- Structure of Nose
- Function of Nose