388 NERVOUS SYSTEM. 



system : but the nose being, in the human subject, though not in 

 "all animals, associated with the function of respiration, its allo- 

 cation is less exceptionable. Without detailing the considera- 

 tions which have induced me to put its description under this 

 head, I will only mention that I have been principally actuated 

 by its office of smelling and by its position. 



In common language, the term nose is applied to the part of 

 the organ of smelling whicrwmanifests itself externally; but a 

 very extensive cavity of the same vertical diameter, and divided 

 into two equal compartments, exists behind it, the form of 

 which has been described in the account of the bones of the 

 nose. This cavity extends from the bottom of the cranium to 

 the roof of the mouth, and backwards to within an inch and a 

 quarter of the vertebrae of the neck. The nose, externally, is 

 generally pyramidal, and has its base below; what is technically 

 called the root of the nose is the part contiguous to the fore- 

 head. The base, on each side, is marked from the cheek, by 

 a semicircular depression ; which becoming more and more 

 shallow at its upper extremity, and increasing its" breadth, is 

 insensibly lost upon the side and point of the nose. The ala 

 nasi is the swell of the posterior part of the base, being bound- 

 ed behind by the above depression. The base of the nose offers 

 on each side an oblong oval orifice, looking downwards and 

 having its long diameter forwards and slightly inwards. These 

 openings are commonly about two lines below the floor of the 

 nose, but there is a diversity in this respect. 



The Nasus Cartilagineus, or the cartilaginous portion of the 

 nose, is placed wholly at its anterior extremity, and serves to 

 elongate the cavity in that direction. It presents a vertical 

 cartilage, which is in continuation of the bony septum: on 

 each side of this, there is an oval cartilage, and behind and 

 below the latter, several distinct and small pieces of cartilage, 

 which preserve the form of the alas nasi, and constitute their 

 foundation. 



The Vertical Cartilage, or Cartilaginous Septum (Septum 

 Cartilagineum) is placed in the middle line of the nose, and 

 has its anterior angle projecting beyond the bony orifice of the 

 anterior nares. Occasionally, from a faulty conformation, it 

 inclines more to one side than to the other. It adheres, by its 



