FACTS & HINTS

High-Yield Facts

Clinical Points

Nasal Obstruction

Can occur either acutelyor be longer in duration-chronic

Causes include: large adenoids (in children), tumors, a deviated septum, or foreign bodies.

Patient maycomplain of snoring, abnormal speech, or breathing difficulties when eating

Clinical Points

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Epistaxis

Nosebleed

Common because of rich vascular supplyto nose

In younger people occurs in the Little's area-where convergence of anterior ethmoidal artery, septal branches of sphenopalatine and superior labial arteries and greater palatine artery

In older people can be related to hypertension

Treatment involves identifying the source of bleeding and stopping the bleeding bydirect pressure, packing the nose or cautery.

Clinical Points

Sinusitis

Paranasal sinuses maybecome infected via continuitywith nasal cavities

Inflammation and swelling of mucosa lining sinus

Can be acute or chronic

Bacterial infection usuallyfollows a viral infection

Patient maycomplain of pain, nasal discharge, blocked nose, postnasal drip, and fever

Acute sinusitis is usuallyself-limiting

Chronic mayrequire antibiotics and if recurrent sinus surgery

Mnemonics

Memory Aids

Nasal Cavity:To help remember the parts of the nasal cavity

Never Call Me Needle Nose

Nares (external)

Conchae

Meatuses

Nares (internal)

Nasopharynx

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