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Nose and Nasal Cavity

 

Anatomy

  • Nasal Bone: acts as an attachment point for the nose, forms the nasal cavity

  • Dorsal Hump: the 'bump' on the nose, 

  • Septal Cartilage: divides the nose into left and right nostrils

  • Hard Palate: forms the nasal cavity

  • Soft Palate: closes off the nasopharyngal canal during swallowing

  • Vestibule: the area just inside the nostrils, lined with mucus membranes and small hairs used to clean and warm the air. 

  • Sinuses: maxillary, frontal, sphenoid, ehtmoid; used to warm and moisten air as it's inhaled. 

 

Assessment

  • Otoscope: can be used to look into the nose to check for abnormalities such as discoloration, bleeding, cracking, and blockages.

  • Palpation: used to look for point tenderness, deformity, and crepitus.

  • Mirror Test: If there is a suspected fracture or deviation of the nose, it is best to have the athlete look at themself in the mirror to determine if any deformities are normal for them or abnormal. They know their body!

 

Common Disorders

  • Epistaxis: bloody nose, can be caused by direct trauma, dry skin in the nose, or anneurism of the nasal blood vessels

  • Rhinitis: inflammation/infection of the nasal cavity, often described as the common cold

 

 

Potential Pathology

(http://ent4students.blogspot.com/2012/12/nose-anatomy.html)

Retrieved Nov 13 2014

(http://ent4students.blogspot.com/2012/12/nose-anatomy.html)

Retrieved Nov 13 2014

Deviated Septum

  • The nasal septum is displaced one way or the other; can either be caused by trauma or be congenital.

  • Symptoms - difficulty breathing, whistling sound while breathing

  • Diagnosis - otoscope examination

  • Treatment - This condition only needs treatment if it impairs the athlete's ability to breathe while exercising or sleeping. Treatment requires a referral to a doctor, who may perform plastic surgery, or recommended decongestants, antihistamines, and nasal steroid sprays to clear sinuses.

  • Prevention - face protection to prevent nasal fractures

  • Athlete can participate as tolerated.

(http://imgarcade.com/1/deviated-nasal-septum/)

Retrieved Nov 13 2014

Nasal Fracture

  • Fracture of the nasal bone, caused by direct trauma to the nose. 

  • Symptoms - obvious deformity, pain, swelling, epistaxis, difficulty breathing

  • Diagnosis - observation, x-ray

  • Treatment - referral to a doctor for realignment, surgery, NSAIDs, ice, and rest

  • Prevention - face protection such as masks, cages, etc.

  • Athlete should rest for some time until symptoms are tolerable, and then can participate with face mask. 

(http://www.emedicinehealth.com/broken_nose/page3_em.htm)

Retrieved Nov 13 2014

(Terfera 2014)

(Starkey 2010)

(Maanika 2013)

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