Nasal congestion is the most common condition affecting your nose. This happens when allergens or pathogens (viruses, bacteria, or fungi) cause inflammation of your nasal passages. The shape of the nose is determined by the nasal bones and the nasal cartilages, including the nasal septum, which separates the nostrils and divides the nasal cavity into two.

Understanding the Context

The nose has an important function in breathing. The nose is an olfactory and respiratory organ. It consists of nasal skeleton, which houses the nasal cavity. In this article, we shall look at the applied anatomy of the nasal cavity, and some of the relevant clinical syndromes.

Key Insights

The nose has two main parts: the external nose (nostrils, nasal tip, nasal bridge) and the internal nose (nasal cavity, septum, turbinates, and sinuses). Together, they help with breathing, smelling, filtering air, and voice resonance. The nasal cavity includes the bones, tissues, and other structures that make up the inside of the nose. It warms and humidifies the air you breathe. This article details everything you need to know about nose anatomy — the nasal structures that help carry out its functions — and discusses some important disorders for your understanding.

Final Thoughts

Inside the nose is a hollow cavity (nasal cavity), which is divided into two passages by a thin sheet of cartilage and bone called the nasal septum. The bones of the face contain the paranasal sinuses, which are hollow cavities that open into the nasal cavity (see Nose and Sinuses). Air enters the nasal cavity from the outside through two openings: the nostrils or external nares. The openings from the nasal cavity into the pharynx are the internal nares.