1. =The Nasal Cavity. Cavum nasi.=--The osseous framework of the nasal
cavity has already been described (page 59), and in connection with this
description the boundaries of the cavity and its connections with other
cavities have been given. It consists essentially of a large cavity
bounded by the facial bones and divided by a longitudinal partition into
two lateral halves. The two cavities thus formed are nearly filled by
(1) the labyrinths of the ethmoid (ethmoturbinals), (2) the superior
nasal conchæ or nasoturbinals, projecting into the dorsal part from the
ventral surface of the nasal bones, and (3) the inferior nasal conchæ,
or maxilloturbinals, projecting into the ventral portion from the medial
surfaces of the maxillaries.
There remain to be considered, in addition to the bones, the
=cartilaginous= framework of certain parts of the nose, and the =mucous
membrane=. The lamina perpendicularis is continued by cartilage,
especially craniad, in such a way as to make a complete septum
separating the two cavities. This septum extends from the septum of the
external nose caudad to the lamina cribrosa, and from the internasal
suture ventrad to the vomer and the suture of the premaxillaries. All
parts of the nasal cavity are lined by mucous membrane. This is
continuous at the nares with the integument, while at the choanæ it
passes into the mucosa of the pharynx. It covers the conchæ nasales and
the labyrinths of the ethmoid, passing into the cellules of the latter.
Owing to the crowding together of the conchæ nasales and the labyrinths
the nose is almost completely filled, only three narrow passageways
being distinguishable. The ventral one of these, known as the =ventral=
or =inferior meatus= of the nose, lies ventrad of the inferior nasal
concha, next to the nasal septum. It passes caudad beneath the
horizontal plate formed by the vomer and ethmoid, and opens caudad at
the =choanæ= into the nasopharynx. The =dorsal= or =superior meatus= of
the nose lies just ventrad of the superior nasal concha, next to the
median septum; it leads to the frontal sinus, the lamina cribrosa, and
the caudal parts of the ethmoid. The =middle meatus= of the nose has
almost disappeared in the cat; it is simply the narrow space between the
superior and inferior meati. It is practically filled by the ethmoid,
into the cells of which it leads. The mucosa is continued from the nasal
cavity into the sinuses of the frontals and presphenoid.
At the sides of the nasal septum, near the ventral edge, and about one
to one and a half centimeters caudad of the nares, there is on each side
a small curved cartilaginous tube, about one centimeter or less in
length. This, the =vomeronasal= organ, or =organ= of =Jacobson=, lies
against the septum, between it and the mucosa. It begins at the incisive
canal or anterior palatine foramen, in the roof of the mouth, curves
thence caudodorsad close against the side of the nasal septum, and ends
blindly in the nasal cavity.
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