There are more people in the world who think that they do not like the shape of their nose than those who reflect on whether it is possible to make it breathe better. Of course, everyone knows about everyday care, treatment for diseases, etc. But how many of us think about what is the cavity of the nose?
Anatomy of the respiratory tract
Lung tissue is a fairly delicate structure. That's why the air, before you make the way to them, must be cleared of dust and some germs, moistened and warmed. This is achieved by using a complex breathing apparatus with a complex structure.
Before reaching the lungs, air passes through the trachea, above is the larynx and nasopharynx, and the upper part - the cavity, where it falls 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 health. Conditionally this organ can be divided into two large parts:
- outer nose;
- the nasal cavity;
- accessory sinuses.
The part that every person sees, simply viewing his face in the mirror, is formed due to small bones and cartilaginous tissue. Finally, its form is formed around the 15th year of life.
The structure of the nasal cavity is so difficult due to the fact that it is here that the temperature of the inhaled air and its purification is regulated. The vestibule is lined with a flat epithelium; here there are small hairs that trap particles of dust and microbes. Three curved bone plates are produced into the cavity, which form so-called shells. Some of their areas are lined with sensitive cells, through which a person has an olfaction. Here, through the narrow passages have access to the accessory sinuses - the maxillary, frontal, basal and latticed. What are they made up of and why are they used?
Nasal cavity of the nose
It would seem, why complicate everything? Let the air simply pass into the lungs, let its way be brief and simple. But evolutionary development has been handled differently, and a person has not just a nose. The nasal cavity has four additional sinuses.
- Maxillary, or maxillary. This sinus is the most voluminous - up to 30 cubic centimeters. In form it resembles a tetrahedron. This cavity communicates with the main( main) through the course 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 - only 3-5 cubic centimeters. It is located in the frontal bone and also communicates with the nose through a narrow course.
- Lattice. These sinuses are made up of separate bone cells, so they are sometimes called a labyrinth. These cavities are in a fairly inaccessible place and border on the inner part of the eye socket and the brain.
- The main( main).This part is the least studied, because it is deep in the skull next to the most important organs - carotid artery, brain, venous sinus, trigeminal and ocular nerves, etc.
As well as the nose itself, the nasal cavity and sinus are lined with epithelium and mucous membrane. This allows not only to warm, but also to moisten the air that gets in here.
Functions
Both the nose as a whole and its individual parts solve a lot of important tasks. Firstly, as already mentioned, the hairs on the eve of arresting the dust. Secondly, the air, passing through the sinuous nasal passages, leaves part of the bacteria on the mucous membrane. Thirdly, its intense friction raises its temperature, and contact with the cells of the inner part of the sinuses is also moisture. In addition, all the cavities play the role of a resonator and participate in the formation of the voice, giving it an individual timbre.
Diseases
In spite of everything, the nasal cavity, the anatomy and purpose of which is directly related to contact with pathogenic bacteria, sometimes inflames itself. As a rule, it turns into rhinitis, that is, a runny nose. At the same breathing through the nose is difficult, there is swelling, a decrease in the olfactory function, the course of mucus. This state is familiar to everyone. In addition to the fact that a person is forced to breathe through the mouth, that is, delivering to the lungs not properly treated air, there may be a shortage of oxygen, that is, mild hypoxia. It is expressed in headache, poor performance, rapid fatigue. Well, if we are talking about children, breathing through the mouth leads to the wrong formation of the facial skeleton, which can cause problems with the teeth and development of the chest, as well as hearing and memory disorders.
It is worth considering: despite the fact that the inflammation of the nasal cavity, that is, rhinitis or a runny nose, seems a nonsense disease that is not worth the close medical attention, if it is not treated, serious complications can result from this disparaging attitude.
Symptoms and treatment of sinus infections
Yes, poorly healed rhinitis or influenza can result in much more serious diseases, for example, sinusitis. Inflammation of the paranasal sinuses can be serous, that is, they form a swelling inside, or purulent. In the second case, the symptoms will be sharper.
There are genyantritis( inflammation of the maxillary sinus), frontal( frontal), ethmoiditis( latticed) and sphenoiditis( underlying).They can be involved in the disease both individually and in pairs, and also all together.
The main symptoms are headache, as well as a feeling of pressure in the sinuses. Often there is an increase in temperature, all this is accompanied by difficulty breathing, fatigue, and sometimes even lacrimation and photophobia. In the chronic course of the disease, symptoms may be less acute, sometimes only a loss of working capacity and a headache.
Before the appointment of treatment, a diagnosis is carried out, which includes external examination and radiography. After this, the patient can be hospitalized, and in not too serious cases, he can be treated at home with those medications prescribed by the doctor. As a rule, their list includes antibiotics. Ignoring sinusitis can lead to even more severe consequences - inflammation of the membranes of the brain.
Care
From a small age you need to get used to the fact that the nose, the nasal cavity need regular hygiene. External respiratory passages must be cleaned of the products of vital activity, if necessary, they must also be moistened. The same applies to the periods of rhinitis: the mucus should be discharged efficiently and cautiously so that its particles do not get into the passages that connect the nose to the ear.
As a rule, doctors say a simple role in the prevention of sinusitis is such a simple measure as sanitation or rinsing of the nasal cavity. This is not the most pleasant procedure, however it helps to get rid of bacteria that have settled on the mucous membranes.