Watch: [Understanding Your Body] Nose

⭐English subtitles available⭐

 

 

The nose, located in the center of the face, allows us to breathe and smell.

 

However, when catching a cold with runny nose or suffer from severe rhinitis,

the sense of taste may be diminished.

 

This is because a rich sense of taste is only possible

when the sense of smell enhances our ability to perceive flavors.

 

In this way, the nose is an invaluable organ that allows us

to enjoy the life-enriching flavors and experience the joy of breathing.

 

The term nose encompasses

both the protruding part in the center of the face and the internal nasal cavity.

 

The nasal cavity refers to the internal part of the nose

that extends up to the front of the oral cavity.

 

In particular, the cilia in the nasal cavity

remove more than 90% of the impurities from the air we inhale,

adjusting the temperature and humidity of the air to make it suitable for breathing.

 

Additionally, inside the nasal cavity is a central nasal bone called the nasal septum.

Extending on either side are three bones

called the superior nasal concha, middle nasal concha, and inferior nasal concha.

 

Surrounding the nasal cavity are the paranasal sinuses,

which are hollow spaces within the facial bones.

 

These paranasal sinuses help warm the air during respiration,

amplify sound when we speak, and lighten the skull while protecting the eyes and brain.

 

In addition, the paranasal sinuses help discharge secretions produced by mucous membranes.

When these secretions are not appropriately discharged due to various reasons,

it can lead to inflammation or sinusitis.

 

So, how do we perceive smell through the nose?

 

The organ that plays the most crucial role in this process

is the olfactory cells located at the ceiling of the nasal cavity.

 

When airborne chemical substances are detected by the olfactory cells in the nose,

the signals are transmitted to the brain through the olfactory nerve, allowing us to perceive smell.

 

However, if there is a problem in this process, it can also affect the sense of taste.

 

When chemical substances in food are detected by the taste nerves on the tongue,

we experience taste,

and when the olfactory nerves detect them, we are able to get the unique flavor of the food.

 

This is why eating an onion while blocking the nose may make it taste like an apple,

and consuming herbal medicine may seem less bitter.

 

Recently, air pollution and climate change have increased allergic rhinitis,

which causes sneezing, nasal congestion, and itching.

 

While allergic rhinitis is not life-threatening,

if it persists for an extended period, it shows changes similar to those of chronic rhinitis.

 

It can lead to conditions like otitis media, nasal polyps, sinusitis, loss of smell, and chronic cough,

so early treatment at a hospital is recommended.

 

Furthermore, when various conditions affect the nose,

it can extend beyond mere nasal issues and impact sleep, learning, and work efficiency.

Therefore, it is essential not to take these matters lightly

and to seek accurate diagnosis and treatment.