Nose and Nasal Conditions

Your nose is important to your health. It filters the air you breathe, removing dust, germs, and irritants. It warms and moistens the air to keep your lungs and tubes that lead to them from drying out. Your nose also contains the nerve cells that help your sense of smell. When there is a problem with your nose, your whole body can suffer.

Many problems besides the common cold can affect the nose. They include

1. Deviated septum - a shifting of the wall that divides the nasal cavity into halves
2. Nasal polyps - soft growths that develop on the lining of your nose or sinuses
3. Nosebleeds
4. Rhinitis - inflammation of the nose and sinuses sometimes caused by allergies. The main symptom is a runny nose.
5. Nasal fractures, also known as a broken nose

The upper part of the nose consists mostly of bone. The lower part of the nose gains its support from cartilage. 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).

Because of its prominent position, the nose is especially vulnerable to injury, including fractures. Bacterial nasal infections, nosebleeds, objects inserted in the nose, and polyps also can affect the nose. The mucous membrane of the nose may become inflamed (rhinitis). This inflammation may spread to the lining of the sinuses (rhinosinusitis).

The sinuses are hollow air-filled areas within your skull. They connect the space between the nostrils and nasal passage and act like balloons, reducing your skull's weight, allowing you to keep your head upright. They also regulate skull temperature and allow the voice to resonate.

Sinuses are found in the following four pairs:

• Frontal sinuses (in the forehead)
• Maxillary sinuses (behind the cheek bones)
• Sphenoid sinuses (behind the eyes)
• The sinuses contain defenses against germs. When you get sick and mucous begins to fill up the sinuses, bacteria may begin to grow. Once the bacteria begin to grow, it may stick to the lining of the sinuses and cause a sinus infection.