Page:Structure and functions of the body; a hand-book of anatomy and physiology for nurses and others desiring a practical knowledge of the subject (IA structurefunctio00fiskrich).pdf/63

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CHAPTER IV.

THE ORGANS OF SPECIAL SENSE.


Fig. 18.—The nasal cavity. (After Sobotta.)

The Nose.—The nose, the organ of the sense of smell, is composed of a framework of bones and cartilages, the bridge being formed by the two nasal bones, and the septum by the vomer and the triangular cartilage. It consists of two parts, the external nose and the internal or nasal fossæ, which open to the face by the anterior nares or nostrils and into the pharynx by the posterior nares. Externally it is covered with skin, internally with ciliated mucous membrane. The fossæ have the inferior turbinated bones along their outer walls and are divided into three parts known as the superior, the middle, and the inferior meatus, the middle one connecting with the antrum of Highmore, while into the inferior meatus the lachrymal canal empties. There are many small muscles of which little use is made, although in