THE XOSE. CARTILAGES. 



771 



THE NOSE. 



The nose is the special organ of the sense of smell. It has also other 

 functions to fulfil ; for, communicating freely with the cavities of the 

 mouth and lungs, it is concerned in respiration, voice, and taste ; and by 

 means of muscles on its exterior, which are closely connected with the 

 muscles of the face, it assists in the expression of the different passions and 

 feelings of the mind. 



Fig. 528. LATERAL VIEW OF THE CARTILAGES OP Fig. 528. 



THE NOSE (from Arnold), f 



a, rigbt nasal bone ; b, nasal process of the 

 superior maxillary bone ; 1, upper lateral cartilage 

 or wing-like expansion of the septal cartilage ; 2, 

 lower lateral cartilage (outer part) ; 2*, inner part 

 of the same ; 3, sesamoid cartilages. 



This organ consists of, first, the anterior 

 prominent part, composed of bone and car- 

 tilages, with muscles already described, 

 which slightly move the cartilages, and two 

 orifices, anterior nares, opening downwards ; 

 and, secondly, of the two nasal fossae, in 

 which the olfactory nerves are expanded. 

 The nasal fossae are separated from each 

 other by a partition, septum nasi, formed 

 of bone and cartilage : they communicate 

 at the outer side with hollows in the neigh- 

 bouring bones (ethmoid, sphenoid, frontal, 

 and superior maxillary); and they open 

 backwards into the pharynx through the 



posterior nares. The skin of the nose is studded, particularly in the grooves 

 of the alse or outer walls of the nostrils, with numerous small openings, 

 which lead to sebaceous follicles. Within the margin of the nostrils there 

 is a number of short, stiff, and slightly curved hairs mbrissce, which grow 

 from the inner surface of the alse and septum nasi, as far as the place where 

 the skin is continuous with the mucous membrane lining the cavity of the 

 nose. 



CARTILAGES OF THE NOSE. 



These are the chief support of the outer part of the organ. They occupy 

 the triangular opening seen in front of the nasal cavity in the dried skull, 

 and assist in forming the septum between the nasal fossoe. There are usually 

 reckoned two larger and three smaller cartilages on each side, and one 

 central piece or cartilage of the septum. 



The upper lateral cartilages (cartilagines laterales nasi) are situated in the 

 upper part of the projecting portion of the nose, immediately below the free 

 margin of the nasal bones. Each cartilage is flattened and triangular in 

 shape, and presents one surface outwards, and the other inwards towards 



3 E 2 



