2-33. THE NASAL CAVITY
The nasal cavity is divided into two nasal chambers by a thin, vertical wall, the
nasal septum. The anterior portion of the septum is cartilage and the posterior portion
is bone. The bony septum is formed anterosuperiorly by the perpendicular plate of the
ethmoid bone and posteroinferiorly by the vomer. The maxilla and palatine bones form
the floor. The four pairs of paranasal sinuses (figure 2-35) communicate with the nasal
cavity. These sinuses are lined with ciliated mucous membrane and normally contain
air. They are the sphenoidal sinuses, the ethmoidal sinuses, the maxillary sinuses, and
the frontal sinuses. On the lateral wall, bounded above by the conchae (turbinate
bones), are three irregular passages called the superior, middle, and inferior meatuses
of the nose.
2-34. LANDMARKS AND PALPITATION POINTS OF THE SKULL
Landmarks and palpation points of the skull are shown in figures 2-33 and 2-34.
You should study these carefully as they are very important in the work of the X-ray
specialist.
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