Histology
The nasal cavity can be divided histologically (microscopically) into three parts:
- The first is the respiratory epithelium; this is the characteristic multi-row, highly prismatic epithelium of the respiratory tract, which is covered with goblet cells and cilia (cinchona). Kinozilien are cell protuberances which are mobile and thus ensure that foreign bodies and dirt are transported away (towards the throat). Beaker cells support the removal by producing a thin (serous) mucus.
The formation of mucus also moistens the air we breathe.
- On the other hand, the main nasal cavity contains the Regio olfactoria. It makes up only a thumbnail-sized part of the entire nasal cavity mucosa. It lies on the roof of the nose and on the upper nasal concha.
The olfactory region is part of the nasal organ – it is the surface through which odorous substances are registered and specific information is passed on to the brain. For this purpose, it has special olfactory cells, which are counted as sensory cells and have binding sites for odorous substances on their surface.
- The skin region lies in the nasal vestibule and resembles the skin on the outside of the nose. It is covered with hairs and many sweat and sebaceous glands.
There are also large veins in the nasal wall.
- The main nasal cavity consists of two different types of mucous membrane.
One of the main tasks is the management of the breathing air. This air is warmed and moistened in the nasal cavities. The warming is achieved through a distinct network of vessels in the nose, in which warm blood flows, which transfers part of the heat to the inhaled air.
Through the hairs in the nasal vestibule, the air we breathe can be cleaned of pollutants, which can be removed from the goblet cells through the movements of the cilia and the mucus. Besides catching dirt, one of the tasks is to render bacterial pathogens harmless. This is possible because the mucus produced contains antibacterial components and also because immune cells are located in the mucosa.
Furthermore, the nasal cavity together with the paranasal sinuses are responsible for part of the speech formation. The cavities in the skull function as resonance chambers. In addition, the olfactory perception of the human being runs via the olfactory region.
The Jacobson organ (vomeronasal organ) is described in this context – this is only rudimentarily developed in humans. These are also olfactory cells. However, they are responsible for the perception of pheromones (scents that unconsciously influence sexual behavior).
