Nasal cavity (boundaries, sinus openings), vessels and nerves

Boundaries of Nasal Cavity

Superior Boundaries

  1. Nasal bones
  2. Nasal part of frontal bone
  3. Cribriform plate (ethmoid bone)
  4. Sphenoid bone
Anterior and external view of nasal cavity


Lateral Boundaries

Nose and nasal cavities
  1. Nasal Bone
  2. Lacrimal Bone
  3. Ethmoid Bone
  4. Inferior Nasal Concha (or turbine)
  5. Palatine Bone
  6. Medial Pterygoid of Sphenoid Bone
  7. Maxilla Bone


Medial Boundaries

  1. Nasal septumucous part
  2. Cartilaginous part - Septal cartilage
  3. Bony part - Perpendicular plate of ethmoid bone & Vomer


Inferior Boundaries

  1. Horizontal plate of palatine bone
  2. Palatine process of maxilla


Sinus Openings

Paranasal sinuses

Sphenoethmoidal Recess Sinus Openings

  1. Sphenoid sinus

Superior Nasal Meatus Sinus Openings

  1. Posterior ethmoidal air cells


Middle Nasal Meatus Sinus Openings

  1. Frontal sinus (semilunar hiatus)
  2. Anterior ethmoidal air cells (semilunar hiatus)
  3. Maxillary sinus (semilunar hiatus)
  4. Middle ethmoidal air cells (bulla ethmoidalis)


Inferior Nasal Meatus Sinus Openings

  1. Nasolacrimal duct


Vessels of Nasal Cavity

Arterial Supply

Maxillary artery branches

The nasal cavity receives innervation from both external and internal carotid arteries.

Branches from external carotid artery include:

  • Maxillary -> Sphenopalatine
  • Maxillary -> Descending palatine -> Greater palatine
  • Facial -> Superior labial


Branches from Internal carotid artery include:

  • Opthalmic -> Anterior & posterior ethmoidal


Arterial Supply of Lateral Nasal Wall

  • Posterior lateral nasal branch (sphenopalatine)
  • Anterior ethmoidal branches
  • Middle ethmoidal branches
  • Lateral nasal branches of superior labial artery


Arterial Supply of Medial Nasal Wall

  • Nasopalatine artery
  • Greater palatine artery


Bibliography

References