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    Related Topics

    From Musculoskeletal System

    Tarsals (7 bones)
    7 ankle bones.
    Gluteus Maximus
    Largest muscle in the buttocks responsible for hip extension.
    Saddle Joints
    e.g., thumb joint
    Cervical Vertebrae (C1 - C7)
    Vertebrae in the neck region (C1-C7).
    Levator Ani
    Pelvic floor muscle responsible for lifting the anus.
    Flexor and Extensor Groups
    Muscles responsible for flexing and extending the hand and wrist.
    Maxillae
    Upper jaw bones that house the teeth and form part of the orbit.
    Biceps Tendon
    Tendon that attaches the biceps muscle to the bone.
    Obliques (External and Internal)
    Muscles responsible for torso rotation.
    Brachioradialis
    Muscle responsible for forearm flexion.
    Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL)
    Knee ligament that stabilizes the outer knee.
    Ligamentum Flavum
    Spinal ligament connecting the laminae of adjacent vertebrae.
    Sacroiliac Ligaments
    Ligaments connecting the sacrum to the iliac bones.
    Iliolumbar Ligament
    Ligament connecting the ilium and lumbar vertebrae.
    Zygomatic Bones
    Cheekbones that form part of the orbit.
    Acromioclavicular Ligament
    Ligament that connects the acromion to the clavicle.
    Glenohumeral Ligaments
    Shoulder ligaments that stabilize the shoulder joint.
    Ischium
    Part of the pelvis that supports weight while sitting.
    Temporalis
    Muscle involved in closing the jaw.
    Sphenoid Bone
    Bone forming part of the base of the skull and sides of the orbits.
    Lumbar Vertebrae (L1 - L5)
    Vertebrae in the lower back (L1-L5).
    Thoracic Vertebrae (T1 - T12)
    Vertebrae in the upper and mid-back (T1-T12).
    Ellipsoidal (Condyloid) Joints
    e.g., wrist
    Syndesmoses
    Fibrous joints where bones are connected by ligaments.
    Gliding (Plane) Joints
    e.g., between carpals

    Nasal Bones

    Reviewed by our medical team

    Bones forming the bridge of the nose.

    1. Overview

    The nasal bones are two small, oblong bones that form the bridge of the nose. These paired bones are part of the facial skeleton and play a key role in shaping the nose and supporting the cartilaginous structures of the nasal cavity. Though small in size, they contribute to both the aesthetic and functional architecture of the upper midface.

    2. Location

    The nasal bones are located in the upper-middle part of the face, at the superior aspect of the nose:

    • Medially: They articulate with each other at the midline via the internasal suture.

    • Superiorly: Articulate with the frontal bone at the frontonasal suture.

    • Laterally: Articulate with the frontal processes of the maxillae.

    • Inferiorly: Connect to the upper lateral cartilages of the nose.

    3. Structure

    Each nasal bone is a small, flat, rectangular bone with compact bone externally and cancellous bone internally:

    • External surface: Convex and covered by the nasal part of the procerus and nasalis muscles.

    • Internal surface: Concave and contributes to the formation of the nasal cavity roof.

    • Articulations: Each nasal bone articulates with four bones:

      • Opposite nasal bone (medially)

      • Frontal bone (superiorly)

      • Maxilla (laterally)

      • Perpendicular plate of the ethmoid bone (deeply)

    4. Function

    The nasal bones serve multiple structural and protective roles:

    • Form the nasal bridge: Provide bony structure to the upper part of the nose.

    • Support cartilage: Act as an anchoring site for the upper lateral cartilages and septal cartilage.

    • Protect internal structures: Shield the upper nasal cavity and underlying neurovascular structures from trauma.

    • Shape facial profile: Contribute significantly to nasal contour and overall facial symmetry.

    5. Physiological role(s)

    Although non-movable, the nasal bones support various physiological functions through their structural contributions:

    • Respiration: Help form the rigid framework that maintains nasal airway patency.

    • Olfaction: Indirectly support the nasal cavity which houses olfactory epithelium, crucial for the sense of smell.

    • Facial expression: Serve as attachment points for muscles involved in expressions like flaring the nostrils or wrinkling the nose.

    • Speech resonance: Contribute to shaping the nasal cavity, affecting voice resonance and clarity.

    6. Clinical Significance

    The nasal bones are among the most commonly injured facial bones and are significant in both trauma and reconstructive surgery:

    • Nasal bone fractures:

      • Most common facial bone fractures, typically resulting from blunt trauma (e.g., falls, sports, assaults).

      • Symptoms include nasal deformity, swelling, bruising, epistaxis (nosebleed), and impaired breathing.

      • May require closed reduction or rhinoplasty depending on severity and displacement.

    • Rhinoplasty considerations:

      • Cosmetic procedures often involve reshaping or repositioning nasal bones to alter nose profile and symmetry.

    • Congenital anomalies:

      • Hypoplastic nasal bones are associated with certain syndromes (e.g., Down syndrome) and can be detected via prenatal ultrasound.

    • Nasal obstruction:

      • Displaced or malformed nasal bones can contribute to chronic nasal blockage and may require surgical correction.

    Did you know? Ligaments hold bones together and are tough yet flexible.