THE XASAL FOSSAE. 



889 



n 

 mem- 



the branched ends of the columnar cells there is a deep layer of epithelial cells of 

 a conical shape, their broad end resting on the basement membrane, and their 

 tapering extremity projecting between the other cells. Beneath the epithelium, 

 extending through the thickness of the mucous membrane, is a layer of glands, the 

 ijl,in<1* of Bowman. identical in structure with serous glands. 



The mucous membrane is pigmented in the olfactory, but not in the other 

 regions, being of a light yellow color, at least in the white races. 1 



The arteries of the nasal fossa? are the anterior and posterior ethmoidal, from 

 the ophthalmic, which supply the ethmoidal cells, frontal sinuses, and roof of the 

 nose; a minute twig from the small meningeal ; the spheno-palatine, from the 

 internal maxillary, which supplies the mucous membrane covering the spongy 

 bones, the meatuses, and septum ; the inferior artery of the septum from 

 the superior coronary of the facial ; and the alveolar branch of the internal 

 maxillary, which supplies the lining membrane of the antrum. The ramifica- 

 tions of these vessels form a close, 

 plexiform network beneath and 

 the substance of the mucous 

 brane. 



The veins of the nasal fossa* form a 

 close network beneath the mucous 

 membrane. They pass, some with 

 the veins accompanying the spheno- 

 palatine artery, through the spheno- 

 palatine foramen, and others through 

 the alveolar branch, to join the facial 

 vein : some accompany the ethmoidal 

 arteries and terminate in the ophthal- 

 mic vein : and. lastly, a few communi- 

 cate with the veins in the interior of 

 the skull through the foramina in the 

 cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone 

 and the foramen csecum. 



The nerve* are the olfactory, the 



nasal branch of the ophthalmic, filaments from the anterior dental branch of the 

 superior maxillary, the Yidian. naso-palatine, descending anterior palatine, and 

 nasal branches of Meckel's ganglion. 



The olfactory, the special nerve of the sense of smell, is distributed over the 

 upper third of the septum and over the surface of the superior and middle spongy 

 bones. 



The n<i*:il hraneJi of the ophthalmic distributes filaments to the fore part of the 

 septum and outer wall of the nasal fossae. 



Filaiif-ntitfi''.,,!! th>' 'interior dental branch of the superior maxillary supply the 

 inferior meatus and inferior turbinated bone. 



The Vi'lian nerve supplies the upper and back part of the septum and superior 

 spongy bone, and the upper anterior nasal branches from the spheno-palatine 

 ganglion have a similar distribution. 



The naso-palatine nerve supplies the middle of the septum. 



The larger or anterior palatine nerve supplies the middle and lower spongy 

 bones. 



Surgical Anatomy. Instances of congenital deformity of the nose are occasionally met 

 with, such as complete absence of the nose, an aperture only being present, or perfect develop- 

 ment on one side, and suppression or malformation on the other ; or there may be imperfect 

 apposition of the nasal bones, so that the nose presents a median cleft or furrow. Deformities 

 which have been acquired are much more common, such as flattening of the nose, the result of 



1 An interesting speculation has been suggested by Dr. W. Ogle, < Med. Chir. Trans., vol. liii. p. 

 277 as to the possible connection between the presence and abundance of this pigment and the per- 

 fection of the sense of smell. 



FIG. 526. Nerves ot septum of nose. Right side. 



