Functions of the human nasal cavity briefly. What is the structure and function of the nasal cavity? The structure of the outer part

Distinguish between the external nose and the nasal cavity.

The internal structure of the nose consists of a hard bony part and a soft cartilage part. The nasal bones are located at the top of the nose and are shaped like a pyramid. They form the base of the nose and make up the upper third of the nose. The lower two-thirds of the nose is made of cartilage. Cartilage gives shape to the lower back of the nose and shape to the tip of the nose. There are two connected cartilage structures: the superior lateral cartilage and the inferior lateral cartilage (wing cartilage). The superior lateral cartilage connects the nasal bone to the inferior lateral cartilage. The lower lateral cartilage is shaped like a curved "C" and has three regions: the outer portion (lateral crus), the middle portion (dome), and the inner portion (mid crus). It forms the wings of the nose.

The two median legs form a bridge between the nostrils, which is called the columella.

The external nose has the appearance of a pyramid and is formed by bones, cartilage, and muscles. Outside, the nose is covered with the same skin as the face. It distinguishes: root, back, apex and wings of the nose. The root of the nose is located in the upper part of the face and is separated from the forehead by the nose bridge. The sides of the nose join in the midline to form the back of the nose. From top to bottom, the back of the nose passes into the top of the nose, below the wings of the nose limit the nostrils leading into the nasal cavity.

The external nose is an important part of the facial cosmetic ensemble. In the nasal cavity, the vestibule of the nose and the nasal cavity itself are distinguished.

Nasal vestibule covered from the inside by the skin of the external nose, which continues here through the nostrils. The skin of the vestibule contains hairs, sweat and sebaceous glands.

The vestibule passes into the nasal cavity, which is a channel passing in the longitudinal direction through the bones of the facial skeleton and having the shape of a prism. The bottom of the nasal cavity is the hard palate. The nasal cavity is lined with a mucous membrane.

nasal cavity the septum is divided into two halves: the right and left, in the septum the bone and cartilaginous parts are distinguished. Posteriorly, through the choanae, the nasal cavity communicates with the nasal part of the pharynx. Most of the nasal cavity is represented by the nasal passages, with which the paranasal sinuses (air cavities of the skull bones) communicate. Three turbinates (upper, middle and lower), located on the side walls, increase the overall surface of the nasal cavity. Between the inward-facing surfaces of the shells and the nasal septum there is a slit-like common nasal passage, and under the shells there are nasal passages, which have the corresponding names: upper middle and lower. The nasolacrimal duct opens into the lower nasal passage, the posterior cells of the ethmoid bone and the sphenoid sinus open into the upper one, and the middle and anterior cells of the ethmoid bone, the frontal and maxillary sinuses open into the middle one.

The mucous membrane of the nasal cavity, it is possible to distinguish two parts that differ from each other in structure and function: respiratory and olfactory. The respiratory part occupies the area from the bottom of the nasal cavity to the middle of the middle turbinate. The mucous membrane of this area is covered with ciliated epithelium and contains a large number of glands that secrete mucus, in addition, there are many blood vessels in the submucosa.

The olfactory region occupies part of the nasal mucosa covering the right and left upper nasal conchas, as well as part of the middle conchas and the corresponding section of the nasal septum. In the olfactory region there are nerve cells that perceive odorous substances from the inhaled air.

The paranasal sinuses include air cavities surrounding the nasal cavity and connected to it by openings (excretory ducts). There are maxillary (maxillary), frontal, sphenoid and ethmoid sinuses. Their sizes are not the same for different people, the maxillary sinus is considered the largest in volume (from 5 to 30 cm3). From the inside, the sinuses are also lined with a mucous membrane.

The maxillary sinuses are located in the body of the upper jaw, to the right and left of the nasal cavity. The roots of the teeth of the upper jaw (3-6) in some cases can protrude into the sinus, so the development of odontogenic inflammatory processes is possible in it. The frontal sinuses are located in the frontal bone at the level of the superciliary arches on the right and left. The sinuses of the ethmoid bone consist of separate cells and are located in the thickness of the ethmoid bone. The sphenoid sinus is located in the body of the sphenoid bone (behind the ethmoid bone) and is divided into two halves by a septum. Through special openings, the sinus communicates with the nasal cavity.

The nose performs a variety of functions: respiratory, protective, resonator and olfactory.

Respiratory function is the main one. The nose is the first to perceive the inhaled air, which is warmed, cleaned and moistened here, therefore nasal breathing is the most physiological for the body.

The protective function is that the mucosal receptors respond to a variety of stimuli from the external environment: chemical composition, temperature, humidity, dust content and other properties of the air. When exposed to the mucous membrane of irritants, sneezing and lacrimation appear. Tears entering the nasal cavity through the nasolacrimal canal enhance the secretion of the mucous glands and remove irritants from the nasal cavity.

The ciliated epithelium of the nasal mucosa plays an important role in the mechanical removal of substances suspended in the inhaled air. When the cilia vibrate, directed from the entrance to the nose to the nasopharynx, there is a movement of particles that have entered the nasal cavity. Some of the larger dust particles are retained in the nasal vestibule by hairs, and if dust particles suspended in the air nevertheless enter the nasal cavity, they are removed from it with mucus when sneezing or blowing your nose. The protective mechanisms also include warming and moistening the air entering through the nose.

Resonator function is provided by the presence of air cavities (nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses). The unequal size of these cavities contributes to the amplification of voice tones of different frequencies. Formed in the glottis, when passing through the resonator cavities, the sound acquires a certain timbre (color).

The olfactory function is carried out due to the presence of specific olfactory receptors in the nasal cavity. In human life, smells play an important role, helping to determine the good quality of food, the presence of harmful impurities in the inhaled air. In some cases, the smell helps a person to navigate in the environment, experience pleasure or disgust. The sense of smell is greatly influenced by air humidity, its temperature, atmospheric pressure, and the general condition of a person.

The nose of a newborn child is flattened, short, the nasal cavity is narrow and low, poorly developed. With age, the back of the nose lengthens, the tip of the nose is formed. During puberty, the shape of the external nose becomes permanent. The paranasal sinuses in newborns are poorly developed. By the age of 8-9, the process of formation of the maxillary sinus ends, and by the age of 12-14, the sinuses of the frontal, ethmoid and sphenoid bones take the final form.

The anatomy of the nose and paranasal sinuses is of great clinical importance, since in their immediate vicinity is not only the brain, but also many great vessels that contribute to the rapid spread of pathogenic processes.

It is important to imagine how exactly the structures of the nose communicate with each other and with the surrounding space in order to understand the mechanism of development of inflammatory and infectious processes and to prevent them qualitatively.

The nose, as an anatomical entity, includes several structures:

• external nose;
• nasal cavity;
• paranasal sinuses.

External nose

This anatomical structure is an irregular pyramid with three faces. The external nose is very individual in appearance and has a wide variety of shapes and sizes in nature.

The back delimits the nose from the upper side, it ends between the eyebrows. The upper part of the nasal pyramid is the tip. The lateral surfaces are called wings and are clearly separated from the rest of the face by nasolabial folds. Thanks to the wings and the nasal septum, such a clinical structure as the nasal passages or nostrils is formed.

The structure of the external nose

The outer nose includes three parts

bone skeleton

Its formation occurs due to the participation of the frontal and two nasal bones. The nasal bones on both sides are limited by processes extending from the upper jaw. The lower part of the bones of the nose is involved in the formation of the pear-shaped opening, which is necessary for the attachment of the external nose.

cartilaginous part

Lateral cartilages are necessary for the formation of the lateral nasal walls. If you go from top to bottom, then the junction of the lateral cartilages to the large cartilages is noted. The variability of small cartilages is very high, since they are located near the nasolabial fold and can vary in number and shape from person to person.

The nasal septum is formed by quadrangular cartilage. The clinical significance of the cartilage is not only in hiding the inner part of the nose, that is, in organizing a cosmetic effect, but also in the fact that, due to changes in the quadrangular cartilage, a diagnosis of deviated septum may appear.

soft tissues of the nose

A person does not experience a strong need for the functioning of the muscles surrounding the nose. Basically, muscles of this type perform facial functions, helping the process of identifying odors or expressing an emotional state.

The skin strongly adheres to the tissues surrounding it, and also contains many different functional elements: glands that secrete lard, sweat, hair follicles.

The hair that blocks the entrance to the nasal cavities performs a hygienic function, being additional air filters. Due to the growth of hair, the threshold of the nose is formed.

After the threshold of the nose, there is a formation called the intermediate belt. It is tightly connected with the pericartilaginous part of the nasal septum, and when deepened into the nasal cavity, it transforms into a mucous membrane.

To correct a deviated nasal septum, the incision is made just in the place where the intermediate belt is tightly connected to the perichondral part.

Circulation

The facial and ophthalmic arteries supply blood to the nose. The veins run along the course of the arterial vessels and are represented by the external and nasolabial veins. The veins of the nasolabial region merge in the anastomosis with the veins that provide blood flow in the cranial cavity. This happens due to the angular veins.

Because of this anastomosis, easy penetration of infection from the nasal region into the cranial cavities is possible.

The flow of lymph is provided through the nasal lymphatic vessels, which flow into the facial, and those, in turn, into the submandibular.

The anterior ethmoid and infraorbital nerves provide sensation to the nose, while the facial nerve is responsible for muscle movement.

The nasal cavity is limited to three formations. It:

• anterior third of the cranial base;
• eye sockets;
• oral cavity.

The nostrils and nasal passages in front are the restriction of the nasal cavity, and posteriorly it passes into the upper part of the pharynx. The transition points are called choans. The nasal cavity is divided by the nasal septum into two approximately identical components. Most often, the nasal septum may deviate slightly to either side, but these changes do not matter.

The structure of the nasal cavity

Each of the two components has 4 walls.

Inner wall

It is created due to the participation of the nasal septum and is divided into two sections. The ethmoid bone, or rather its plate, forms the posterior superior section, and the vomer forms the posterior inferior section.

outer wall

One of the complex formations. It consists of the nasal bone, the medial surface of the bone of the upper jaw and its frontal process, the lacrimal bone adjacent to the back, and the ethmoid bone. The main space of the posterior part of this wall is formed by the participation of the bone of the palate and the main bone (mainly the inner plate belonging to the pterygoid process).

The bony part of the outer wall serves as a site for attachment of the three turbinates. The bottom, vault and shells participate in the formation of a space called the common nasal passage. Thanks to the nasal conchas, three nasal passages are also formed - upper, middle and lower.

The nasopharyngeal passage is the end of the nasal cavity.

Superior and middle concha of the nose

Conchas of the nose

They are formed due to the participation of the ethmoid bone. The outgrowths of this bone also form the cystic shell.

The clinical significance of this shell is due to the fact that its large size can interfere with the normal process of breathing through the nose. Naturally, breathing is difficult on the side where the vesical shell is too large. Its infection must also be taken into account in the development of inflammation in the cells of the ethmoid bone.

bottom sink

This is an independent bone, which is fixed on the crest of the maxillary bone and the bone of the palate.
The lower nasal passage has in its anterior third the mouth of a canal designed for the outflow of tear fluid.

The turbinates are covered with soft tissues, which are very sensitive not only to the atmosphere, but also to inflammation.

The median course of the nose has passages to most of the paranasal sinuses. The exception is the main sinus. There is also a semilunar fissure, the function of which is to provide communication between the middle passage and the maxillary sinus.

Top wall

The perforated plate of the ethmoid bone provides the formation of the arch of the nose. Holes in the plate give passage to the cavity of the olfactory nerves.

bottom wall

Nose blood supply

The bottom is formed by the participation of the processes of the maxillary bone and the horizontal process of the palate bone.

The nasal cavity is supplied with blood by the basilar palatine artery. The same artery gives several branches for the blood supply to the wall located behind. The anterior ethmoid artery supplies blood to the lateral wall of the nose. The veins of the nasal cavity merge with the facial and ophthalmic veins. The ophthalmic branch has branches leading to the brain, which is important in the development of infections.

The deep and superficial network of lymphatic vessels provide an outflow of lymph from the cavity. The vessels here communicate well with brain spaces, which is important for accounting for infectious diseases and the spread of inflammation.

The mucosa is innervated by the second and third branches of the trigeminal nerve.

Paranasal sinuses

The clinical significance and functional properties of the paranasal sinuses are enormous. They work in close contact with the nasal cavity. If the sinuses are exposed to an infectious disease or inflammation, this leads to complications on important organs located in their immediate vicinity.

The sinuses are literally dotted with a variety of holes and passages, the presence of which contributes to the rapid development of pathogenic factors and aggravates the situation in diseases.

Paranasal sinuses

Each sinus can cause the spread of infection in the cranial cavity, eye damage and other complications.

Sinus of the upper jaw

It has a pair, is located deep in the bone of the upper jaw. Sizes vary greatly, but the average is 10-12 cm.

The sinus wall is the lateral wall of the nasal cavity. The sinus has an entrance to the cavity, located in the last part of the semilunar fossa. This wall is endowed with a relatively small thickness, and therefore it is often pierced in order to clarify the diagnosis or conduct therapy.

The wall of the upper part of the sinus has the smallest thickness. The posterior sections of this wall may not have a bone base at all, making do with cartilaginous tissue and many crevices in bone tissue. The thickness of this wall is pierced by the canal of the inferoorbital nerve. The infraorbital foramen opens this canal.

The channel does not always exist, but this does not play any role, since if it is absent, then the nerve passes through the sinus mucosa. The clinical significance of this structure is that the risk of developing complications inside the skull or inside the orbit increases if the pathogenic factor affects this sinus.

Below the wall is the holes of the posterior teeth. Most often, the roots of the tooth are separated from the sinus only by a small layer of soft tissue, which is a common cause of inflammation if the condition of the teeth is not monitored.

frontal sinus

It has a pair, located in the depths of the forehead bone, in the center between the scales and the plates of the eye sockets. The sinuses can be demarcated with a thin bone plate, and not always equally. It is possible to shift the plate to one side. There may be holes in the plate that provide communication between the two sinuses.

The size of these sinuses is variable - they may be absent altogether, or they may have a huge distribution throughout the frontal scales and the base of the skull.

The wall in front is a place for the exit of the nerve of the eye. The exit is provided by the presence of a notch above the orbit. The notch cuts the entire upper part of the orbit of the eye. In this place, it is customary to open the sinus and trepanopuncture.

Frontal sinuses

The wall below is the smallest in thickness, which is why the infection can quickly spread from the sinus to the eye orbit.

The wall of the brain provides separation of the brain itself, namely the forehead lobes from the sinuses. It also represents the site of infection.

The channel passing in the fronto-nasal region provides the interaction between the frontal sinus and the nasal cavity. The anterior ethmoid cells, which are in close contact with this sinus, often intercept inflammation or infection through it. Also, tumor processes spread in both directions along this connection.

lattice maze

It is cells separated by thin partitions. Their average number is 6-8, but may be more or less. The cells are located in the ethmoid bone, which is symmetrical and unpaired.

The clinical significance of the ethmoid labyrinth is due to its proximity to important organs. Also, the labyrinth can be adjacent to the deep parts that form the skeleton of the face. The cells located in the back of the labyrinth are in close contact with the canal in which the nerve of the visual analyzer runs. Clinical diversity appears to be an option when the cells serve as a direct pathway for the channel.

Diseases that affect the labyrinth are accompanied by a variety of pains that differ in localization and intensity. This is due to the peculiarities of the innervation of the labyrinth, which is provided by the branch of the ophthalmic nerve, called the nasociliary. The lamina cribrosa also provides a pathway for the nerves necessary for the functioning of the sense of smell. That is why, if there is swelling or inflammation in this area, olfactory disorders are possible.

lattice maze

main sinus

The sphenoid bone with its body provides the location of this sinus directly behind the ethmoid labyrinth. The choanae and the vault of the nasopharynx will be located on top.

This sinus has a septum that has a sagittal (vertical, dividing the object into right and left parts) arrangement. She, most often, divides the sinus into two unequal lobes and does not allow them to communicate with each other.

The wall in front is a pair of formations: ethmoid and nasal. The first falls on the region of the labyrinth cells located backwards. The wall is characterized by a very small thickness and, due to the smooth transition, almost merges with the wall from below. In both parts of the sinus there are small rounded passages that make it possible for the sphenoid sinus to communicate with the nasopharynx.

The back wall has a frontal position. The larger the size of the sinus, the thinner this septum, which increases the likelihood of injury during surgical interventions in this area.

The wall from above is the bottom region of the Turkish saddle, which is the location of the pituitary gland and the nerve decussation that provides vision. Often, if the inflammatory process affects the main sinus, it spreads to the optic chiasm.

The wall below is the vault of the nasopharynx.

The walls on the sides of the sinus are closely adjacent to the bundles of nerves and blood vessels that are located on the side of the Turkish saddle.

In general, infection of the main sinus can be called one of the most dangerous. The sinus is closely adjacent to many brain structures, such as the pituitary gland, subarachnoid and arachnoid, which simplifies the spread of the process to the brain and can be fatal.

Pterygopalatine fossa

It is located behind the tubercle of the mandibular bone. A large number of nerve fibers pass through it, therefore the significance of this fossa in the clinical sense is difficult to exaggerate. A large number of symptoms in neurology are associated with inflammation of the nerves passing through this fossa.

It turns out that the nose and the formations that are closely related to it are not a simple anatomical structure at all. The treatment of diseases affecting the systems of the nose requires the utmost care and caution from the doctor due to the proximity of the brain. The main task of the patient is not to start the disease, bringing it to a dangerous border, and in a timely manner to seek help from a doctor.

The nose is a perfect and rather complex human sense organ. Conventionally, it is divided into three large parts: the external nose, the nasal cavity and. The visible part of the organ is formed within 15 years of life and often becomes the cause of significant feelings for a person, not corresponding to his ideas of beauty. In striving for the ideal, it is worth taking into account that any operations in the nose area can disrupt its structure and entail many unpleasant consequences.

The nasal cavity is an anatomical formation from which the human respiratory system originates. A number of processes take place in it, providing humidification, purification and heating of the inhaled air. In addition, it performs a number of other vital functions due to its complex anatomy.

The nasal cavity is divided by a septal plate into 2 approximately identical parts. These halves are connected to the external environment through the external nose, formed from bones and cartilage. The skeleton is covered with muscle tissue and skin.

The septum has a rather complex anatomy. In the area of ​​​​the wings of the nose, it begins with a mobile membranous region, continues with a small cartilaginous plate - an irregular quadrangle communicated through its corners with the bones: nasal, ethmoid and palatine.

Cartilage ends in bone, formed at the site of fusion of the ridges of the upper jaws, vomer, ethmoid, frontal, sphenoid bones.

The nasal cavity communicates with everyone through channels.

The nasal cavity is limited by 3 walls:

1. Upper. It is called the arch of the nose. It is formed by the sphenoid, frontal, ethmoid bone and the inner surface of the nasal bones.
2. Lower. It is called the bony palate because it separates the nasal cavity from the oral cavity. It is formed as a result of the fusion of the process of the upper jaw with the horizontal plate of the palatine bone. Pathologies in this area often cause defective conditions: cleft palate or cleft lip.
3. Lateral. It is formed by the nasal, maxillary, sphenoid, palatine, ethmoid and lacrimal bones.

On the lateral wall of the nasal cavity are 3 sinks. They are plate-shaped and stacked on top of each other, as seen in the image below. The upper and medial shells are represented by processes of the ethmoid bone, the lower one is an independent formation.

The nasal turbinates form 3 paired nasal passages:

1. Upper- the smallest passage, located in the back of the nasal cavity, in contact with the palatine opening.
2. Average stroke- the widest and longest. It is formed not only by bone tissue, but also by fontanelles of the mucous membrane. Through the crescent-shaped gap, the medial passages communicate with. On the back walls they have funnel-shaped extensions, through which the passages communicate with the frontal sinuses.
3. Down stroke bounded by the bottom of the cavity and the lower shell. In the region of its arch, the nasolacrimal duct opens with an opening, through which fluid secretions from the space of the eye orbits enter. This anatomical connection leads to the fact that during crying, mucus is intensively separated into the nasal cavity, and during a runny nose, tears are released from the eyes.

The area between the nasal concha and its septal plate is called the common nasal passage.

Nasal mucosal device

Conventionally, the nasal cavity is divided into 3 areas:

1. threshold covered with squamous epithelial cells (glands and hair follicles are laid on the area of ​​the skin), passing into the mucous membrane. The latter contains anatomical devices to perform its functions in the cavity.
2. Respiratory area- This is a section of the mucous membrane adapted to process the air entering the nasal cavity. It is located at the level of the middle and lower moves.
3. Olfactory region is part of the mucous membrane responsible for the perception of odors. The department is located at the top level.

The mucous membrane is covered ciliated epithelial cells- cells with many microscopic cilia on their free edge. These cilia continuously carry out undulating movements in the direction of the exit of their nasal cavity. With their help, small particles of air dust are removed from it.

The nasal mucosa covers all surfaces of the cavity, except for the vestibule and.

The shell contains secretory cells and glands. Their active work contributes to the humidification of the air entering the respiratory tract and its purification from contaminants (the secret envelops foreign particles for their subsequent removal).

The shell is entangled dense network of capillaries and small vessels, forming plexuses in the region of the lower and middle conchas of the nose. By means of a well-developed vascular bed, air is heated. Also, cells (leukocytes) enter the nasal cavity through thin capillary walls, which ensure the neutralization of bacterial and microbial components.

Functions of the nasal cavity

The structure and functions of the human nasal cavity are interrelated. Due to its anatomical features, it provides function execution:

1. Respiratory. Air through the cavity enters the respiratory tract and is removed from them. At the same time, it is cleansed, moistened and heated. The physiology of human respiration is arranged in such a way that the volume of air inhaled through the nose is many times greater than the volume of inhalation through the mouth.
2. Olfactory. The recognition of odors begins with the capture by the peripheral processes of the olfactory nerve of the smallest odorous particles of a substance. Then the information goes to the brain, where the smell is analyzed and perceived.
3. Resonator. The nasal cavity, together with the vocal cords and the oral cavity, provides the formation of an individual sound of the voice (participates in the formation of sound resonance). During a cold, the nose is stuffed up, so the human voice sounds different.
4. Protective. Secretory cells of the epithelium secrete special bactericidal substances (mucin, lysozyme). These substances bind pathogenic particles, which are then (with the help of ciliated epithelium) removed from the cavity. A dense capillary network ensures the formation of the body's immune gates (leukocytes capture and destroy bacteria, fungi, viruses). Sneezing is also protective in nature: it is a strong reflex exhalation due to irritation of the olfactory nerve by coarse particles.

Conclusion

The nasal cavity is a complex anatomical formation. In order to understand what function the nasal cavity performs, it is necessary to know the features of its structure (mucous membranes, cartilage and bone skeleton). Being an inlet for air on its way to the lungs of a person, it performs a respiratory, protective, olfactory function, and also participates in the formation of voice.

Most people care about the shape of the nose, and few people think about how it works. Since even small problems with the olfactory organ can instantly affect a person’s well-being, the necessary measures should be taken in a timely manner to eliminate them. All colds should be treated in time and do not forget about everyday care.

The value of the mucous membrane is reduced to a protective function. If the largest dust particles are retained by a thick "palisade" of hair on the eve of the nose, then the middle ones settle on the ciliated epithelium of the mucosa. His cilia, as it were, grab dust particles from the inhaled air and, with oscillatory movements, move them towards the nasopharynx, from where they either enter the esophagus, which is not at all scary, or simply cough up. In addition, there are many nerve endings in the mucosa, touching which, dust particles cause sneezing, which can sweep all the “garbage” out of the upper respiratory tract.

Goblet cells and numerous glands sensitively monitor the humidity of the air, increasing secretion if it is dry and requires moisture. It is also important that in the secreted mucus there are substances such as lysozyme, mucin, etc., which kill pathogenic microflora. It should be noted that when irritating substances enter the nose, the flow of tears into the nasal cavity through the nasolacrimal canal increases. This is necessary to dilute the irritating substance and its further excretion.

The submucosal layer plays the role of an air conditioner due to its venous plexuses. If the air that we inhale is cold, the veins expand, the amount of “hot” (about 37 ° C) blood in them increases, the mucous membrane warms up, and heat transfer to the air increases. If the air is too warm, the diameter of the vessels decreases, the mucous membrane “cools down” a little, after which it can take heat from the incoming air stream, cooling it somewhat.

Let's designate one more function - resonator. It turned out that the paranasal sinuses filled with air act as a resonator. And here is the proof: with a runny nose, although conduction through the nose may not be completely disturbed, swelling of the mucous membrane changes the volume of the sinuses, which is why the voice changes its usual timbre, differing in some deafness of tones.

So, let's summarize and list functions of the nasal mucosa and nasal cavity:

1. Air conduction from the environment external to the body to the nasopharynx and vice versa.
2. cleaning air from dust particles of large and medium sizes.
3. Moisturizing air, dilution of chemical irritants.
4. Partial disinfection air.
5. Thermal correction inhaled air.
6. Reflex call defensive actions(from sneezing to temporary cessation of breathing).
7. Participation in relief of the mass of the skull by filling the paranasal sinuses with air.
8. resonator function.
9. Olfactory function. The nasopharynx belongs to the upper respiratory tract, although the rest of the pharynx also indirectly belongs to them, because the air passes through them before entering the larynx.