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Related Concept Videos

Anatomy of Respiratory System I: Upper Respiratory Tract01:29

Anatomy of Respiratory System I: Upper Respiratory Tract

The upper respiratory tract plays a vital role in the respiratory system, comprising several structures that facilitate air intake and prepare air for the lungs. It also serves as the first line of defense against pathogens and particles. This tract includes the nose and nasal cavity, the oral cavity, the paranasal sinuses, and the pharynx, each with specific functions and features.
Nose and nasal cavity
The nose and nasal cavity represent the main external openings of the respiratory tract.
Nose and Nasal Cavity01:24

Nose and Nasal Cavity

The nose is composed of an observable exterior segment (external nose) and an internal segment within the skull known as the nasal cavity (internal nose). The external nose, visible on the face, consists of a framework of bone and hyaline cartilage enveloped in skin and muscle and lined with a mucous membrane. This structure is supported by the frontal bone, nasal bones, and maxillary bone and is supplemented by a cartilaginous framework comprising the septal nasal cartilage, lateral nasal...
Cranial Bones: Lateral View01:27

Cranial Bones: Lateral View

The lateral view of the cranium is dominated by temporal, sphenoid, and ethmoid bones.
The temporal bone forms the lower lateral side of the skull. The temporal bone is subdivided into several regions. The flattened upper portion is the squamous portion of the temporal bone. Below this area and projecting anteriorly is the zygomatic process of the temporal bone, which forms the posterior portion of the zygomatic arch. Posteriorly is the mastoid portion of the temporal bone. Projecting...
Overview of Respiratory System01:23

Overview of Respiratory System

The respiratory system is a complex biological apparatus that facilitates the exchange of gases, specifically oxygen and carbon dioxide, between our bodies and the environment. This system plays a vital role in the physiological process of respiration, an essential function for sustaining life.
What is the Respiratory System?
The respiratory system consists of a series of organs responsible for taking in oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide. The primary function of the respiratory system is to...
The Respiratory System01:16

The Respiratory System

The respiratory system is comprised of the organs that enable breathing. Air enters the nostrils and mouth, followed by the pharynx (throat) and larynx (voice box), which lead to the trachea (windpipe). In the thoracic cavity, the trachea splits into two bronchi that allow air to enter the lungs. The bronchi split into progressively smaller bronchioles and terminate in small groups of tiny sacs in the lungs called alveoli, where gas exchange occurs.
Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract01:29

Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract

The human respiratory tract, comprising the upper and lower segments, serves as a critical interface with the external environment. The upper respiratory tract (URT)—including the nostrils, sinuses, pharynx, and oropharynx—is heavily colonized by microbes, while the lower respiratory tract (LRT), composed of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs, was long thought to be sterile. However, recent molecular studies have revealed that the lungs are not devoid of microbes but act more like...

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An Effective Manual Deboning Method To Prepare Intact Mouse Nasal Tissue With Preserved Anatomical Organization
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Why do we have paranasal sinuses?

J Keir1

  • 1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Countess of Chester Hospital, Chester, UK. jameskeir@hotmail.com

The Journal of Laryngology and Otology
|October 30, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The function of paranasal sinuses remains debated. While they may aid nasal function, nitric oxide production, and immunity, their evolutionary origin might be linked to facial growth or an unknown ancestral purpose.

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Area of Science:

  • Otolaryngology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Human Physiology

Background:

  • Paranasal sinuses (frontal, maxillary, ethmoid, sphenoid) have a debated function for nearly 2000 years.
  • Understanding the precise role of these sinuses is crucial in rhinology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current evidence defining the role of paranasal sinuses.
  • To propose an answer to the evolutionary question: 'Why do we have paranasal sinuses?'

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature review from 1966-2007 using Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Ovid.
  • Search terms included 'paranasal sinuses,' 'physiology,' 'anatomy,' 'function,' 'evolution,' and 'rhinology.'

Main Results:

  • Identified and critically analyzed tenable theories regarding paranasal sinus function and evolution.
  • Described current, evidence-based theories on sinus roles.

Conclusions:

  • Paranasal sinuses may enhance nasal function, aid nitric oxide production, and support nasal immunity.
  • Their evolutionary origin could be related to facial development or an unknown ancestral purpose, with current roles as secondary functions.