STUDY NOTES: STANDARD ONE
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The nose plays a crucial role in our respiratory system. When we breathe, air enters our body through the nose, and the specialized cells in our olfactory system help us recognize and identify smells. Hairs in the nose filter foreign particles, and the air is warmed and humidified before it enters the lungs. Moreover, the nose adds moisture to the air to prevent dry airways, traps tiny particles before they reach the lungs, and warms air to body temperature.
The nasal cavity is located inside our head above the roof of the mouth, and it has several passages separated by cartilage known as the septum. The turbinates are long, narrow structures inside these passages that divide the airway into four sections, which increases the surface area for air to flow. This warms the air as it enters the body and maintains a humidity level of 98%, moistening the air and preventing dehydration as air is exhaled.
The nose has a direct impact on lung health. A stuffy nose can lead to mouth breathing, which increases the risk of developing mouth and throat infections and chest congestion. The throat is the direct route to the lungs, and a stuffy nose affects the nasal-pulmonary reflex, causing the lungs to close up. Nasal strips can help athletes open their noses and tap into a neurological response mechanism that affects lung function.
The tissues lining the air passages are covered by mucous-producing cells containing cilia, or hair-like structures that trap particles and help move them toward the throat. Dirt particles trapped are either eliminated through sneezing or directed toward the throat. Here, they can be swallowed, along with mucus, and pass to the stomach instead of the lungs, which are far more sensitive to foreign material.
The nose also plays a role in taste, as humans rely on their sense of smell to taste food. When we eat, the nose smells the food and sends information to the mouth in a process called olfactory referral. Without the nose, food would not taste as flavorful.
In conclusion, the nose is essential to our respiratory health. The functions of the nose are interconnected, and nose health directly affects lung health and the rest of our body. It is important to recognize conditions that can affect the entire body and seek nose congestion relief.