Changes

===Nasal conchae===

===Nasal conchae===

The nasal cavity is occupied to a large extent by '''nasal conchae'''. These are turbinate bones which project into the nasal cavity with the purpose of supporting the [[Nose - Anatomy & Physiology|olfactory]] mucus membranes and increasing the respiratory surface area, creating turbulence within the passing air. This helps to filter, warm or cool the air that passes through.  

The nasal cavity is occupied to a large extent by '''nasal conchae'''. These are turbinate bones which project into the nasal cavity with the purpose of supporting the [[Nose - Anatomy & Physiology|olfactory]] mucus membranes and increasing the respiratory surface area, creating turbulence within the passing air. This helps to filter and warm or cool the air that passes through.  

The conchae are [[Cartilage - Anatomy & Physiology#Types of Cartilage|cartilage]] or ossified scrolls which arise from the [[Skull and Facial Muscles - Anatomy & Physiology#Ethmoid Bone (os ethmoidale|ethmoid bone]]. They are covered with mucous membrane, under which is a layer of anastomosing blood vessels. The nasal conchae are more complex in animals with a better sense of smell, as they increase the surface area of the [[Nose - Anatomy & Physiology|olfactory]] region, further.

The conchae are [[Cartilage - Anatomy & Physiology#Types of Cartilage|cartilage]] or ossified scrolls which arise from the [[Skull and Facial Muscles - Anatomy & Physiology#Ethmoid Bone (os ethmoidale|ethmoid bone]]. They are covered with mucous membrane, under which is a layer of anastomosing blood vessels. The nasal conchae are more complex in animals with a better sense of smell, as they increase the surface area of the olfactory region, further.

There are '''dorsal''' and '''ventral conchae''', the dorsal concha originating from the [[Skull and Facial Muscles - Anatomy & Physiology#Ethmoid Bone (os ethmoidale)|ethmoid bone]] and attaching to the maxilla, and the vental conchae originating from the [[Skull and Facial Muscles - Anatomy & Physiology#Maxilla|maxilla]] and extending further into the nasal cavity. The conchae divide the nasal cavity into nasal ducts or '''meatuses''', which branch out from a common nasal meatus which is adjacent to the nasal septum. There are three nasal meatuses which branch from the common nasal meatus: '''dorsal''', '''middle''' and '''ventral''':

There are '''dorsal''' and '''ventral conchae''', the dorsal concha originating from the ethmoid bone and attaching to the maxilla, and the venrtal conchae originating from the [[Skull and Facial Muscles - Anatomy & Physiology#Maxilla|maxilla]] and extending further into the nasal cavity. The conchae divide the nasal cavity into nasal ducts or '''meatuses''', which branch out from a common nasal meatus which is adjacent to the nasal septum. There are three nasal meatuses which branch from the common nasal meatus: '''dorsal''', '''middle''' and '''ventral''':

'''Dorsal nasal meatus'''

'''Dorsal nasal meatus'''

==Function==

==Function==

In addition to [[Nose - Anatomy & Physiology|olfaction]], the function of the nasal cavity is to modify the incoming air before is is transported further down the respiratory tract. Air is warmed as it passes over the highly vascularised mucosal surfaces of the conchae, humidified by the evaporation from nasal secretion and cleaned as it contacts the secretion from mucus glands within the nasal cavity. The mucus secreted from the glands traps particles and cilia transport them down to the pharynx for swallowing, this process is known as the [[Respiratory Epithelium - Anatomy & Physiology#Mucociliary Escalator|mucociliary escalator]]. The nasal cavity offers further protection via the sneezing reflex .

In addition to [[Nose - Anatomy & Physiology|olfaction]], the function of the nasal cavity is to modify the incoming air before it is transported further down the respiratory tract. Air is warmed as it passes over the highly vascularised mucosal surfaces of the conchae, humidified by the evaporation from nasal secretion and cleaned as it contacts the secretion from mucus glands within the nasal cavity. The mucus secreted from the glands traps particles and cilia transport them down to the pharynx for swallowing, this process is known as the [[Respiratory Epithelium - Anatomy & Physiology#Mucociliary Escalator|mucociliary escalator]]. The nasal cavity offers further protection via the sneezing reflex .

==Species Differences==

==Species Differences==

[[Category:Respiratory System - Anatomy & Physiology]]

[[Category:Respiratory System - Anatomy & Physiology]]

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[[Category:A&P Done]]