The external nose of a person has a complex device and performs very important functions. The frame of the organ of smell consists of bones and cartilage, giving it a unique shape, which is individual for each person. However, sometimes in some people the nose begins to hurt, which causes a lot of inconvenience. Let's try to understand the main causes of pain and methods of dealing with them.
The functions of the sense of smell
The nose, like any other organ, is responsible for performing certain functions.
The main ones are:
- respiratory
- temperature control;
- moisturizing;
- protective;
- resonant;
- olfactory.
The nose not only allows us to recognize odors, but it is also responsible for heating the inhaled air and prevents viruses from entering our body.
General structure
The nose is one of the most unique organs in our body. In nature, there is no longer a living creature with a similar nose structure. Moreover, the anatomical features of the external nose differ among representatives of different races, and also depend on the individual structural features of the body.
The outer part of the organ of smell is formed by the skeleton, which is formed by the bones and cartilage of the nose. The latter are divided into two types:
- Lateral - in its shape resembles a triangle. Its back is adjacent to the nasal bone.
- Large winged - is responsible for giving the nostril its shape and forms the nasal cavity.
It is worth noting that, depending on the individual physiological characteristics of a particular person, additional nasal cartilage, which in medicine are called sesamoid, can be present in the nose. They give extra rigidity to the skeleton. All cartilages are interconnected by fibrous tissue.
Of particular importance in the structure of the organ of smell is the nasal septum, which is responsible for dividing the inner space of the nose into two equal parts. It consists of two areas - lower and upper. The first is mobile, and most of it is the cartilage of the nasal septum. In its shape, it resembles a rectangular plate of an asymmetric size, which is set in motion by the muscles of the wings of the nose.
Features of the device of the inner nose
The nasal cavity is the beginning of the human respiratory tract. Its walls are formed by bones. It is located between the oral cavity, the anterior cranial fossa and the orbits. According to its anatomical features, the nasal cavity is divided into three departments:
- vestibule;
- respiratory region;
- olfactory area.
The nasal cavity consists of two identical halves, which are separated from each other by the nasal septum. It is very fragile, so many people experience curvature resulting from injury. Each half has four bone walls and three shells - lower, middle and upper.
The respiratory region is covered with a mucous membrane, consisting of special cells that secrete mucus. It acts as an antiseptic that has a detrimental effect on microbes. In the upper part of the respiratory section there are movable cilia, which are responsible for removing mucus with associated bacteria and dust.
The olfactory area is located in the upper part of the nose. It is lined with epithelial tissue, in which there are receptors responsible for the recognition of odors. In total, the human nose is able to recognize about 10 thousand different aromas.
Anatomical features of the sinuses
The sinuses are the voids surrounding the organ of smell. They are connected to the nose by canals and perform very important functions. The sinuses are divided into the following types:
- wedge-shaped;
- maxillary;
- frontal
- cells of the ethmoid labyrinth.
The largest in volume are the maxillary sinuses. They perform many functions and play a very important role in our body. They help to reduce the mass of the skull, significantly improve the quality of recognition of odors, help to purify the inhaled air, form the timbre of the voice, improve the absorption of nasal drugs by the mucous membrane, and reduce the negative effect on the eyes and teeth at extreme temperatures.
What disorders can occur in the cartilage of the nose
Nasal cartilage can begin to hurt for a variety of reasons, both as a result of trauma and as a complication of many serious illnesses. The main part of the sense of smell is the nasal septum, to which the cartilage is adjacent. With them, in turn, bones are closed.
The main causes of pain can be:
- Trauma of the septum.
- Fracture of the nasal bones.
- Soft tissue damage.
In order to prescribe the appropriate treatment, it is necessary to determine the reason behind the pain. Therefore, if you have a nasal cartilage pain, it is recommended not to delay the trip to the hospital, since any delay can lead to many complications.
It is important to understand that the causes can be not only internal, but also external. Let's dwell on each of them in more detail.
Internal causes of nose pain
This group of causes includes bruises and injuries of bone or cartilage of the organ of smell. With severe injuries, not only the displacement of the septum, but also the destruction of cartilage, as well as damage to the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity, can occur. As for diseases, the nasal cartilage (in Latin they sound like erit cartilage de naribus) can hurt if a person has inflammation of the mucous membrane, sinusitis or hemosinusitis, ganglionitis and many other diseases that occur in a latent form.
How to find out about a problem
In most cases, pain in the nose is experienced by people suffering from hypertension, as well as who have liver problems or any kind of blood disease. In this case, the pain can be accompanied by heavy bleeding, which is very difficult to stop. A similar problem can also be encountered by people who have previously suffered nasal injuries, which caused displacement or curvature of the nasal septum or destruction of cartilage. It is impossible to independently determine the reason why pain occurs, without the help of a qualified specialist.
Difficulties in diagnosing nasal cartilage injuries
When the cartilage of the nose breaks down, a hemorrhage occurs in the soft tissues, resulting in a hematoma. To prevent suppuration and to avoid various negative consequences, it is necessary to provide assistance to the injured person as soon as possible. At the same time, the body temperature sharply increases in the victim, very strong pain in the nose occurs, and terrible migraines also begin.
If no action is taken, then the nasal septum is transformed, and the cartilage is destroyed. With heavy bleeding and the formation of a strong hematoma in a person, the nasal passage is completely or partially blocked, as a result of which his respiratory ability is impaired.
With very severe injuries, the posterior wall of the nose may sink, which causes a change in the normal form of the organ of smell, and any touch of it causes unbearable pain, which is quite difficult to endure.
The main methods of treatment
If the bruise was not too strong and did not lead to serious damage, in which the cartilage of the nasal septum (erit cartilage de naribus is written in Latin) was not deformed or destroyed, then ice or a cold compress will help get rid of the pain. With bleeding from the nose, special tampons are inserted into the cavity, contributing to faster blood coagulation.
Open fractures are more serious , since an infection can get into the blood, due to which the wound will fester and further infection of the blood will go. Such an inflammatory process extends not only to the soft tissues, but also to the bones and cartilage. Such injuries are considered one of the most serious, so they should be contacted by a specialist in the hospital as soon as possible.
Severe pain can also occur if the cartilage of the nasal septum has been damaged. If the skeleton was not fragmented during displacement, then the fragments are simply put back into place. This procedure is very painful, so it is done under general anesthesia.
Pain during deformation of the skeleton caused by displacement of the nasal septum
The lateral cartilage of the nose or septum can be sick due to deviations in the normal formation of the facial bones, which are usually accompanied by a curvature of the septum of the nose.
In addition to severe migraines, a person can also observe the following manifestations:
- Constant problems with the nose, in particular the occurrence of diseases such as rhinitis, frontal sinusitis and sinusitis on a regular basis. This is due to poor removal of sputum from the maxillary sinuses, as well as the possible presence of infection in the injured area.
- Difficulty breathing through the nose.
- Bending the nose in one direction, because of which a person constantly snores in a dream.
As practice shows, most people suffering from pain in the nose do not attach much importance to this problem. However, a violation of the normal functioning of the olfactory organ subsequently leads to various malfunctions, as a result of which the protective functions of the body decrease, diseases of the cardiovascular system develop, the incidence of colds and viral ailments increases, and blood problems can also be observed. Therefore, if you notice that the cartilage of the wings of the nose began to hurt or changed their original shape, then it is recommended not to self-medicate, but immediately consult a doctor.
The main methods of treatment of curvature of the nasal septum
There are several methods for returning the septum to its normal position, but surgery is most effective.
In modern medicine, the following types are distinguished:
- Septoplasty - restoration of the initial position of the septum plate;
- lateral conchopexy - expansion of the nasal canals by approaching the shells to the scales of the frontal bone;
- cristotomy - removal of cartilage in the nose or bone ridge, if they impede normal air passage through the channels;
- vasotomy - removal of cavernous tissue of the upper part of the nasal cavity, if it is filled with blood due to any disease;
- rhinoplasty - the cartilage of the nose returns to its normal shape in order to give the appearance more aesthetics.
The most difficult type of surgery is septoplasty. Modern equipment allows operations to be performed so that no scars remain on the skin. Damaged cartilage is removed from the bone skeleton, after which it is modeled and put in place. Moreover, this treatment method is highly effective and allows not only to return the normal functioning of the olfactory organ, but also to make it more aesthetic. For example, if the cartilage at the tip of the nose has been displaced, then doctors will be able to return it to its original position. The rehabilitation period lasts about two weeks.
Ways to fix nose deformities
Rhinoplasty is one of the most common types of surgical intervention aimed at correcting any defects of the nose congenital or acquired as a result of injuries. It is also often used in plastic surgery to correct the shape of the organ of smell.
Today, there are three ways to perform rhinoplasty:
- Open or American.
- Indoor or European.
- Non-operational.
The first two methods are based on surgical intervention, and their main difference is only in the area in which the surgeon makes incisions. The non-surgical method consists in injecting fat or hyaluronic acid under the skin, so that surgeons can correct minor nose defects. It is practically painless and has no negative consequences, so the patient is immediately sent home after surgery.
Do not be frivolous about your health. If there is even a slight pain in the nose, you should undergo an examination and begin treatment as soon as possible, since any delay can lead to very serious consequences. Remember, you cannot buy health for any money.