Most Things Biology

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2–3 minutes

Date Last Modified

January 13, 2026

The nasal cavityThe internal space behind the nose that filters, warms, and humidifies incoming air. is lined by the nasalTwo small rectangular bones forming the bridge of the nose. mucosaThe innermost lining of the digestive tract that contains mucus-secreting cells for protection and a that creates folds or meatusesAir passageways between the nasal conchae that direct airflow through the nasal cavity.. The dendritesBranch-like extensions from a neuron that receive signals from other neurons. of the olfactory nerve pass through the foramina in the cribriform plates of the ethmoidLight, spongy bone between the eyes; forms nasal septum and medial orbit walls. bone. They hang down into the nasal cavity for scent detection. The palatine processHorizontal projection of maxilla forming the anterior part of the hard palate. of the maxillaUpper jaw bones; form upper teeth sockets, hard palate front, and parts of the nose and orbit. forms the anteriorThe front of the body or toward the front when standing in the anatomical position. part of the palate. The palatineL-shaped bones forming posterior part of hard palate and floor of nasal cavity. bone forms the posterior part that separates the oral from the nasal cavity.

Sagittal section of nasal and oral cavity with sinuses, meatuses, and olfactory bulb. — Sagittal section of nasal and oral cavity

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Mucosa

The respiratory mucosa of the nasal cavity consists of a sheet of ciliated pseudostratified columnar cellsThe basic structural and functional units of life.. Mucus (Goblet) cells are scattered among them. These mucus cells secrete a thick mucus to line the cavity and prevent the tissue from drying out. The respiratory membrane covers airway passages from opening to dead end. It is one of the 4 mucus membranes in the body. All mucus membranes are open to the outside.

Nasal Conche

The nasal conche are extensions of the ethmoid bone (2 out of the 3 pairs are). These bony structures have twists and turns that create a cave-like system of passageways, some dead ends. Also called turbinates, the conche trap air. They make it circulate just a little bit more before it dips down to the trachea.

This frontalForehead bone; forms the front part of the skull and roof of the orbits. Smooth and curved. section A cut or slice of the body or an organ for study. of a fetal face clearly shows the nasal conche. There is a stripe of hyaline cartilageThe most abundant cartilage type, found in joints, ribs, and the nose. running superiorAbove or toward the upper part of the body./inferior between them. Hyaline cartilageA flexible connective tissue found in joints, the ear, nose, and rib cage. Cartilage can be of three was the most common cartilage in the body. It usually stains a dark purple. ChondrocytesMature cartilage cells housed in lacunae. are trapped in lacunaSmall spaces in bone tissue where osteocytes reside.. In this picture of the fetal face, the hyaline cartilage still has its characteristic glassy appearance. However, it is stained red instead of purple.