1. Skin: The outermost layer of the nose is the skin, which covers and protects the underlying tissues.
2. Cartilage: The nasal framework is supported by cartilage, which gives the nose its shape and rigidity. The main cartilage structures include the nasal septum (which separates the left and right nasal cavities), the upper lateral cartilages, and the lower lateral cartilages (alar cartilages).
3. Bone: The nose is also supported by bones. The nasal bones form the bridge of the nose, while the maxilla and ethmoid bones contribute to the structure of the nasal cavity and sinuses.
4. Muscles: Several small muscles, such as the nasalis muscle and the depressor septi muscle, help control the movement and表情 of the nose.
5. Blood vessels and nerves: The nose is supplied by blood vessels that provide oxygen and nutrients to the tissues. Nerves innervate the nose and contribute to sensation and smell perception.
6. Mucous membrane: The inside of the nose is lined with mucous membrane. This specialized tissue is rich in mucus-producing glands and helps filter, warm, and humidify inhaled air.
7. Olfactory receptors: The nose contains specialized olfactory receptors in the upper nasal cavity. These receptors are responsible for detecting and distinguishing various scents and play a crucial role in our sense of smell.
8. Sinuses: The nasal cavity connects to several paranasal sinuses, which are air-filled cavities within the skull. The sinuses help regulate temperature and humidity of inhaled air and contribute to the resonance and quality of the voice.