The nose is an incredible member of the body. It helps create symmetry in the face and keeps glasses where they belong. It is truly one of the most important parts of the body. It consists of bone and cartilage, including the nasal septum, which divides the nose into two separate cavities. It is part of the respiratory system, which is divided into two parts—the upper and lower. It is part of and the point of entry into the upper part of the respiratory system. In conjunction with the diaphragm and lungs, we inhale and exhale through our nose or mouth. The diaphragm contracts, moving downward, creating a vacuum, and oxygen is drawn into the lungs. As the diaphragm relaxes, oxygen is then expelled from the lungs. This process is essential as it provides oxygen to the brain which keeps it in peak condition as the body’s foreman, keeping the body and all its moving parts functioning properly.
All the cells of the body require oxygen. As oxygen enters the body, the cells release carbon dioxide (known as waste gas). This gas exchange—bringing in clean oxygen and expelling the waste gas—is automatic.
In addition to the process of bringing oxygen into the lungs, the nose has other important functions. Air filtered through the nasal hairs removes debris, allergens, and other large foreign particles. The nasal mucosa lining in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, using shell-shaped structures called turbinates, is responsible for conditioning the inhaled air by warming and moistening it with each breath. The hollow cavities of the paranasal sinuses, which act as sound chambers, modify and amplify our speech and other vocal sounds, and assist our speech. The nose is also in charge of olfaction, the ability to smell.
Did You Know? With up to 300 million olfactory receptors, a dog’s nose smells up to 100,000 times better than the human nose, which houses only six million receptors. Dogs can also breathe in and out at the same time.
Sneezing is a reflex that expels unwanted particles that irritate the mucosal lining. A sneeze can transmit and spread infections by expelling aerosols that harbor pathogens. Allergens and infections can cause swollen turbinates, and nasal polyps (bumps in the nose) can block airflow and affect normal breathing.
A nosebleed occurs due to an underlying condition, but also when a blood vessel in the nose breaks or it becomes too dry inside the nostrils, trauma, blowing your nose too hard, or picking your nose. They are usually not serious, but if you have a nosebleed lasting more than 20 minutes, you should seek professional help.
To keep your nose in its best possible health:
- Leave those nose hairs where they are. Don’t cut or shave them off.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Keep the house clean, limiting the dust and other allergens you breathe in.
- Use saline nose spray to keep the nose clean and moist.
- Use a humidifier at home.
Recently, I was thinking of this scripture:
“Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.” John 12:3
Wouldn’t you have loved to be a nose in that room?
Sources: wikipedia.org/wiki/Human-nose; my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21778-nose; petmd.com/dog/behavior/5-dog-nose-facts-you-probably-didnt-know; msn.com/en-us/health/in-Nosebleed/in-nosebleed; webmd.com/lung/how-we-breathe