Children's Nasal Structures


The space inside of the nose is shaped like a triangle and is divided into 3 parts:
• Nostrils - openings of the nose
• Nasal Septum - divides the nostrils
• Nasal Passage – the space inside of the nose

Within each side of the nose are shelf-like structures called turbinates:
• There are 3 tubinates located on each side of the nasal passages.
• The turbinates expand and contract to open or close each nasal passage.
• When the turbinates enlarge, it crowds the inside of the nose making it difficult to breathe
  freely through this space.
• When the turbinates shrink, there is more space for the air to move through the nose, making
  it easier to breathe.
• There are many complex forces at work that control this process, which is monitored by the
  central nervous system.

How the Nose Functions:
• The sinuses and turbinates are lined with tissue that is always producing thin,
  watery mucus.
• This watery mucus is swept out of the sinus and into the nose by tiny microscopic hair cells
  working like a conveyor belt to move the mucus backward in the nose and down into the
  throat where it is swallowed .
• Mucus needs to be thin and watery for the nose and sinuses to function properly.
• The nose provides many important functions that include the ability to warm, moisturize and
  clean the air we breathe before going into the lungs.
• Air streaming through the nose and sinuses helps to warm and moisturize the air we breathe.
• Mucus produced by the nose and sinuses creates a wet surface within the nasal passage.
• Particles in the air such as smoke, dust, pollen, viruses, bacteria and air pollution, cling to this
  wet surface inside of the nose.
• The mucus is then propelled toward the back of the nose and on to the throat to be swallowed.
• The particles in the air that stick to the mucus are then carried to the stomach, so it will be
  decontaminated by stomach acid.
• If any part of the nose becomes blocked or obstructed, the mucus cannot move well through
  the nasal passageway.
• If the mucus cannot move well, it becomes thick, making it more difficult for the mucus to progress
  to the back of the throat to be swallowed.
• When mucus becomes thick, children may have many symptoms, including: stuffy nose, thick
  mucus in the nose, dried mucus rocks, headache, thick nasal drainage dripping in the back of
  the throat and cough.

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