Anatomy and physiology of nose according to modern and ayurveda

Reading File

Finding Sources

Searching the Web

nose anatomy physiology Ayurveda Nasa Sharira classical texts

Reading File

Reading Web Page

https://ijcrt.org/papers/IJCRT2511778.pdf

Reading File

Loading Image

I now have comprehensive material. Let me compile the full detailed answer.

Anatomy and Physiology of the Nose: Modern and Ayurvedic Perspectives

PART 1 - MODERN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF THE NOSE

Embryology

Nasal development begins in the fourth week of gestation. Neural crest cells proliferate to form nasal placodes, which then develop into medial and lateral nasal processes. These fuse with the maxillary and frontal processes to form the external nose, hard palate, central incisors, nasal bones, ethmoid, and septum. The nasobuccal membrane ruptures by the tenth week, establishing communication between the nose and nasopharynx. Septal fusion proceeds from the ninth week (anteriorly) to the twelfth week (posteriorly). The turbinate bones develop from cartilage ossification centers during the fifth intrauterine month. - Cummings Otolaryngology

External Nose

The external nose is a pyramid-shaped structure consisting of:

Bony upper third: paired nasal bones, frontal processes of the maxillae, nasal spine of the frontal bone
Cartilaginous middle third: paired upper lateral cartilages (ULC)
Cartilaginous lower third: paired lower lateral cartilages (LLC), with the medial crura forming the columella and the lateral crura defining the nasal tip and alae
Soft tissue: fibroareolar tissue supporting the lobule

Nasal skeleton showing nasal bone, upper lateral cartilage, lower lateral cartilage, and fibroareolar tissue

The nasal skeleton - Bailey and Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 28th Ed.

The Nasal Septum

The nasal septum is the main support structure of the external nose. It divides the nose into two cavities, regulates airflow, and supports the mucosal lining. Its components include:

Component	Type
Quadrilateral (septal) cartilage	Cartilage (anterior)
Perpendicular plate of ethmoid	Bone (superior)
Vomer	Bone (posterior-inferior)
Nasal crest of maxilla & palatine bone	Bone (inferior)

Nasal septum showing septal cartilage, perpendicular plate of ethmoid, vomer, palatine bone, and frontal/sphenoid sinuses

Left side of the nasal septum - Bailey and Love's

Nasal Cavity and Lateral Wall

The nasal cavity extends from the vestibule anteriorly to the choanae posteriorly. The lateral wall contains three shelves of bone covered by mucosa - the turbinates (conchae):

Inferior turbinate (largest, independent bone): covered by stratified squamous epithelium at its tip, and pseudostratified ciliated columnar (respiratory) epithelium on all other surfaces. Contains erectile venous tissue responsible for the nasal cycle.
Middle turbinate (part of the ethmoid): the landmark for most sinus surgery; the middle meatus below it receives drainage from the frontal, maxillary, and anterior ethmoid sinuses.
Superior turbinate (ethmoid): above it lies the sphenoethmoidal recess, which drains the posterior ethmoid and sphenoid sinuses.

Right lateral nasal wall showing superior, middle and inferior turbinates

The right lateral nasal wall with three turbinates - Bailey and Love's

The turbinates maximize intranasal surface area and rapidly humidify and warm inspired air. The continuously beating ciliated mucosa moves a mucus blanket that traps particulates, bacteria, and allergens - the mucociliary escalator. - Cummings Otolaryngology

Paranasal Sinuses

Four paired sinuses communicate with the nasal cavity:

Sinus	Drains Into
Frontal	Middle meatus (via frontal recess)
Maxillary	Middle meatus (via ostium)
Anterior ethmoid	Middle meatus
Posterior ethmoid	Superior meatus
Sphenoid	Sphenoethmoidal recess

Functions include: reducing skull weight, resonance for voice, humidification, and mucosal immune defense.

Blood Supply

The nose receives a dual blood supply from both the internal carotid artery (ICA) and the external carotid artery (ECA):

ICA branch: Ophthalmic artery → anterior and posterior ethmoidal arteries (supply upper nasal septum and roof)
ECA branch: Maxillary artery → sphenopalatine artery (main arterial supply of the nasal mucosa; supplies posterior and inferior septum)
ECA branch: Facial artery → superior labial artery → septal branch (anterior septum and columella)
ECA branch: Greater palatine artery → supplies anteroinferior septum via incisive canal

All these vessels anastomose on the anteroinferior septum to form Kiesselbach's plexus (Little's area) - the most common site of epistaxis.

Venous drainage: via the ophthalmic and facial veins and the pterygoid and pharyngeal plexuses. The connection to the cavernous sinus via the ophthalmic vein is clinically important because nasal infections can spread intracranially.

Arterial blood supply to the nasal septum showing Kiesselbach's plexus, sphenopalatine, greater palatine, anterior/posterior ethmoidal, and facial arteries

Arterial blood supply to the left nasal septum - Bailey and Love's

Nerve Supply

Function	Nerve
Olfaction	Olfactory nerve (CN I) - olfactory epithelium in the roof and superior septum
General sensation (anterior nose)	Anterior ethmoidal nerve (V1 branch of CN V)
General sensation (posterior nose)	Sphenopalatine (pterygopalatine) branches of CN V2
Autonomic (secretomotor/vasomotor)	Vidian nerve (greater superficial petrosal + deep petrosal) → pterygopalatine ganglion

Physiology of the Nose

The nose performs five major physiological functions:

Olfaction: Volatile molecules dissolve in the mucous layer of the olfactory epithelium (in the roof of the nasal cavity) and bind to olfactory receptor neurons, generating signals transmitted via CN I to the olfactory bulb and cerebral cortex.
Respiration and Airway Patency: The internal nasal valve (junction of the ULC and septum, ~10-15° angle) is the narrowest part of the airway and the site of greatest resistance. The external nasal valve is the alar rim/nostril. The nasal cycle - rhythmic alternating congestion and decongestion of the inferior turbinates (every 2-6 hours) - is a normal phenomenon controlled by the autonomic nervous system.
Filtration: Coarse hairs (vibrissae) in the vestibule trap large particles. Mucus and ciliated epithelium trap finer particles down to 5 µm. The mucociliary escalator clears trapped matter toward the nasopharynx.
Conditioning (Humidification and Warming): Inspired air reaches near body temperature (37°C) and near 100% relative humidity by the time it reaches the nasopharynx, even in cold, dry conditions. This is largely the function of the turbinates.
Immune Defense: IgA antibodies, lysozyme, lactoferrin, and defensins in nasal secretions provide innate and adaptive immunity against pathogens.

PART 2 - AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE ON THE NOSE (NASA SHARIRA)

Etymology and Nomenclature

Ayurvedic texts give the nose several names:

Nasa / Nasika (Sanskrit: nose)
Ghranam (that which smells)
Gandhavaha (that which carries smell)
Ghrana (the olfactory sense organ)

The most famous classical declaration about the nose comes from Ashtanga Hridayam (Sutrasthana 20):

"नासा हि हिरसो द्वारम्" - Nasa hi Shiraso Dwaram "The nose is the doorway to the head."

This foundational principle justifies Nasya (nasal administration of medicines) as the primary route for treating diseases of the head and supraclavicular region. - IJCRT, 2025

Embryology (Garbhashastra)

Charaka Samhita (Sha. 4/11): "Tritiye Mase Sarvendriyaanam Sampurnatvam" - All sense organs including the nose complete their development during the third month of gestation.
Garbhopanishad: Completion of development of mouth, nose, and ears occurs in the sixth month.
Acharya Sushruta did not clearly specify the embryological formation of Nasa.

Correlation: Modern embryology confirms the nose is substantially formed by the 10th week, with sensory specialization continuing through mid-gestation - broadly consistent with the Ayurvedic third-month reference.

Structural Components (Rachana Sharira) According to Sushruta

Sushruta describes the nasal structures as comprising:

Ayurvedic Component	Count	Modern Correlation
Asthi (bones/cartilage - Tarunasthi)	3	Nasal bones + septal cartilage + vomer/ethmoid complex
Peshi (muscles)	2	Nasalis, procerus (nasal muscles)
Dhamani (nerves/vessels)	2	Major arterial trunks or major nerve trunks
Sira (arteries + veins)	24	Arterial and venous branches of nasal vasculature
Sandhi (joint)	1 (Sthira - immobile)	Nasal suture joints

Acharya Charaka mentioned only one nasal bone; Sushruta counted three Asthis (and noted they are of the Tarunasthi/cartilaginous type).
Sushruta described the length of the nose as 2⅓ angula (an angula is approximately the breadth of a finger).
Charaka described the nose as 4 angula long in Vimansthana.
Sushruta classified Nasa as a Pratyanga (secondary/minor organ) of the body.
Two nostrils are counted among the nine Bahirmukha Strotasas (nine external orifices) of the body.

Marmas (Vital Points) Associated with Nasa

Acharya Vagbhata mentioned two Marmas situated in Nasika:

Marma	Type	Clinical Significance
Phana	Sira Marma (vascular)	Located at the alae nasi; governs olfactory function
Sringataka	Sadhyapranahara Marma (immediately fatal if injured)	Junction of vessels from nose, ears, eyes, and tongue; corresponds approximately to the ethmoid/cribriform region
Matrika	Sira Marma	Associated with vessels of the neck and nasal region

Injury to Sringataka is considered immediately life-threatening, reflecting the anatomical importance of the cribriform plate/anterior cranial fossa region.

Physiology of the Nose (Kriya Sharira) - The Indriya Panchakam Framework

Ayurveda explains the physiology of olfaction through the Indriya Panchakam (five components of a sense organ):

Component	Nose (Ghrana)
Indriya (sense organ)	Ghranendriya (olfactory sense)
Indriya Dravya (material element/Mahabhuta)	Prithvi Mahabhuta (Earth element)
Indriya Adhisthana (seat/organ)	Nasa (nose)
Indriya Artha (object of sense)	Gandha (smell/odor)
Indriya Buddhi (faculty of discrimination)	Ghrana Buddhi (olfactory cognition)
Controller	Mana (mind) coordinates the process; Atma receives the final perception

The Earth element (Prithvi Mahabhuta) governs the sense of smell because Prithvi carries the quality of Gandha (odor) as its specific property (Vishesha Guna).

Doshic Associations

Prana Vayu (a sub-type of Vata) has its primary seat in the cranial region and governs breath, reception, and mental intake. It moves through the nasal passages and head channels (Srotas).
The nose is the entry point of Prana into the body via respiration (Pranavayu enters through the nose).
Kapha dosha is physiologically present in the nasal mucosa - it provides lubrication, moisture, and protection. Excess Kapha causes nasal congestion (Pratishyaya, Pinas).
Pitta governs the discriminatory function of smell (Alocha Pitta in some interpretations).

Srotas (Channels) Related to Nasa

Pranavaha Srotas: Channels carrying Prana (vital force/breath) - the root (Mula) is in the heart and the mahastrotasas. The nose is the primary external opening.
Rasavaha Srotas: Channels carrying nutritive fluid; the nose (as a gateway) is closely connected.

Nasya Karma - Therapeutic Application

Because "the nose is the doorway to the head," Ayurveda treats disorders of the head, brain, sense organs, and supraclavicular structures via the nasal route:

Medicated oils or powders administered through the nose reach the Sringataka Marma (the vascular confluence at the cribriform region), spread to the Murdha (brain), and from there to all sense organs.
Nasya is one of the Panchakarma (five purificatory therapies) and is especially indicated in Shirogata Rogas (head diseases), Nasagata Rogas (nasal diseases), and visual/auditory disorders.
Prana Vayu carries the administered substances through cranial channels to the sensory organs.

Modern science partially validates this: the olfactory nerve fibers pass directly through the cribriform plate to the olfactory bulb, and the nasal route provides relatively direct access to the CNS - a concept now explored in drug delivery research (intranasal drug delivery to the brain).

Ideal Characteristics of the Nose (Lakshana Sharira)

Charaka described the features of a healthy, auspicious nose: the nose should be straight, capable of deep breathing, have a well-bridged dorsum, and a slightly curved/downward-bent tip. A child with these features was said to have a long lifespan. - WJPR, 2021

COMPARATIVE SUMMARY

Feature	Modern Anatomy	Ayurveda
Primary role	Olfaction, respiration, filtration, conditioning	Ghranendriya (olfactory sense organ); gateway to the head
Material basis	Neural, epithelial, vascular, bony/cartilaginous	Prithvi Mahabhuta (Earth element) governs olfaction
Embryology	Formed by week 10; turbinates by 5th intrauterine month	Sense organs develop in 3rd month; nose complete by 6th month
Structural count	Complex; multiple bones, cartilages, blood vessels	3 Asthi, 2 Peshi, 2 Dhamani, 24 Siras, 1 Sandhi
Vital points	Kiesselbach's plexus (epistaxis zone); cribriform plate	Phana, Sringataka, Matrika Marmas
Mucosal function	Mucociliary clearance, IgA defense	Kapha lubricates and protects nasal passages
Neurophysiology	CN I (olfactory) to olfactory bulb and cortex	Mana (mind) + Prana Vayu coordinate smell perception
Therapeutic access	Topical steroids, intranasal drug delivery	Nasya Karma (one of Panchakarma)
Blood supply	Kiesselbach's plexus (ICA + ECA anastomosis)	24 Siras (arterial-venous network)

Sources:

Bailey and Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 28th Ed. (Cummings Otolaryngology, Cummings 7th Ed.)
Cummings Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery - Anatomy and Embryology of the Nose
Khasim et al., WJPR 2021, Vol 10, Issue 4 - Nasa Sharira review
IJCRT 2025 (Vol 13, Issue 11) - Applied Anatomical Exploration of Nasa Sharir
Charaka Samhita (Sha. 4/11; Vimana Sthana), Sushruta Samhita (Sharira/Uttara Tantra), Ashtanga Hridayam (Su. 20)

Give me diagram related to each point

Generating Image

Medical education diagram: Embryology of the nose - timeline showing nasal development from week 4 to week 12 of gestation. Show: Week 4 neural crest cells forming nasal placodes, Week 6 medial and lateral nasal processes forming, Week 8 fusion of medial nasal processes forming columella and philtrum, Week 10 nasobuccal membrane ruptures allowing nose-nasopharynx communication, Week 12 septal fusion complete. Label each stage clearly with arrows. Clean white background, medical textbook style, blue and orange color scheme.

Generating Image

Medical anatomy diagram: External nose structure - lateral side view showing all layers. Label clearly: Nasal bone (upper bony third), Upper lateral cartilage (middle cartilaginous third), Lower lateral cartilage with medial crura forming columella and lateral crura forming nasal tip, Fibroareolar tissue in lobule, Frontal process of maxilla, Nasal dorsum, Nasal tip, Alar rim, Columella, Nostril/naris. Use different colors for bone (yellow), cartilage (blue), soft tissue (pink). White background, detailed medical illustration style.

Generating Image

Medical anatomy diagram: Nasal septum - sagittal cross section showing all components. Label: Quadrilateral septal cartilage (anterior), Perpendicular plate of ethmoid (superior posterior), Vomer (inferior posterior), Nasal crest of maxilla (floor anterior), Nasal crest of palatine bone (floor posterior), Anterior nasal spine, Columella attachment. Show relationship to frontal sinus above and hard palate below. Color code each bone/cartilage differently. White background, medical textbook illustration style.

Generating Image

Medical anatomy diagram: Nasal turbinates (conchae) - lateral wall of nasal cavity showing all three turbinates. Label clearly: Superior turbinate (smallest, ethmoid), Middle turbinate (landmark for sinus surgery), Inferior turbinate (largest, independent bone), Superior meatus above inferior turbinate, Middle meatus below middle turbinate, Inferior meatus below inferior turbinate, Sphenoethmoidal recess, Choanae posteriorly. Show mucociliary escalator arrows. Color code turbinates in different shades. Clean medical education style.

Generating Image

Medical anatomy diagram: Paranasal sinuses - frontal and lateral view showing all four paired sinuses. Label: Frontal sinus (above orbit), Maxillary sinus (largest, below orbit), Ethmoid sinuses (anterior and posterior groups, between orbit and nasal cavity), Sphenoid sinus (deepest, behind ethmoid). Show drainage pathways with colored arrows: anterior sinuses draining to middle meatus, posterior ethmoid and sphenoid to superior meatus and sphenoethmoidal recess. Include cross-sectional inset. White background, medical textbook style.

Generating Image

Medical anatomy diagram: Blood supply of the nose - sagittal view of nasal septum showing arterial supply. Label all vessels clearly: Anterior ethmoidal artery (from ophthalmic/ICA), Posterior ethmoidal artery (from ophthalmic/ICA), Sphenopalatine artery (from maxillary/ECA - main supply), Greater palatine artery (via incisive canal), Superior labial branch of facial artery. Show Kiesselbach's plexus (Little's area) highlighted in red on anteroinferior septum as anastomotic zone. Show ICA vs ECA contributions in different colors (blue vs red). Clean medical illustration.

Generating Image

Medical anatomy diagram: Nerve supply of the nose - labeled diagram showing all nerve supplies. Show: CN I Olfactory nerve fibers passing through cribriform plate to olfactory epithelium in roof of nasal cavity (yellow), Anterior ethmoidal nerve from V1 ophthalmic branch supplying anterior nose (green), Sphenopalatine branches from V2 maxillary supplying posterior nasal cavity (orange), Vidian nerve (greater superficial petrosal + deep petrosal) going to pterygopalatine ganglion for autonomic secretomotor supply (purple). Include small diagram of olfactory pathway to brain. White background, medical education style.

Generating Image

Medical physiology diagram: Five functions of the nose - infographic style with 5 sections. 1) OLFACTION - show olfactory epithelium, receptor neurons, CN I to olfactory bulb and cortex. 2) RESPIRATION - show internal nasal valve angle, airflow pattern. 3) FILTRATION - show vibrissae trapping particles, mucociliary escalator with cilia beating. 4) AIR CONDITIONING - show turbinates warming and humidifying cold dry air to 37 degrees C and 100% humidity. 5) IMMUNE DEFENSE - show IgA, lysozyme, lactoferrin in mucus layer. Clean infographic style, white background, color coded sections.

429 Too Many Requests. {'message': '{\n "error": {\n "code": 429,\n "message": "Resource exhausted. Please try again later. Please refer to https://cloud.google.com/vertex-ai/generative-ai/docs/error-code-429 for more details.",\n "status": "RESOURCE_EXHAUSTED"\n }\n}\n', 'status': 'Too Many Requests'}

We encountered an error while processing your request. Please try again or reach out to us for help.

🔗Contact Support

✉️hi@orris.care

Give me generated images

Generating Image

Medical anatomy diagram: Paranasal sinuses - frontal and lateral view showing all four paired sinuses. Label: Frontal sinus above orbit, Maxillary sinus largest below orbit, Anterior and posterior ethmoid sinuses between orbit and nasal cavity, Sphenoid sinus deepest behind ethmoid. Show drainage pathways with colored arrows: anterior sinuses draining to middle meatus, posterior ethmoid and sphenoid to superior meatus and sphenoethmoidal recess. White background, medical textbook style, color coded sinuses.

Generating Image

Medical anatomy diagram: Nerve supply of the nose. Show CN I olfactory nerve fibers passing through cribriform plate to olfactory epithelium in roof of nasal cavity in yellow. Anterior ethmoidal nerve from V1 ophthalmic branch supplying anterior nose in green. Sphenopalatine branches from V2 maxillary supplying posterior nasal cavity in orange. Vidian nerve going to pterygopalatine ganglion for autonomic supply in purple. Include small olfactory pathway diagram to brain. White background, labeled, medical education style.

Generating Image

Medical physiology infographic: Five functions of the nose. Five color-coded panels: Panel 1 OLFACTION - olfactory epithelium, receptor neurons, signal going to brain via CN I. Panel 2 RESPIRATION - internal nasal valve, airflow arrows through nasal cavity. Panel 3 FILTRATION - vibrissae trapping particles, mucociliary escalator with cilia. Panel 4 AIR CONDITIONING - turbinates warming and humidifying cold dry air to 37 degrees C 100 percent humidity. Panel 5 IMMUNE DEFENSE - IgA antibodies and lysozyme in mucus layer. Clean infographic style, white background.

Generating Image

Ayurveda medical education diagram: Nasa Sharira structural components according to Sushruta. Central drawing of a nose with labeled arrows pointing to: 3 Asthi bones and cartilages highlighted in yellow (nasal bones, septal cartilage, vomer), 2 Peshi muscles in red (nasalis and procerus), 2 Dhamani major vessels/nerves in blue, 24 Siras arteries and veins in orange network, 1 Sthira Sandhi immobile joint. Include Sanskrit terms alongside English. Decorative Ayurvedic border design. White background, educational poster style.

400, message: Got more than 4194304 bytes when reading: b'data: {"candidates": [{"content": {"role": "model","parts": [{"inlineData": {"mimeType": "image/png"...'.

We encountered an error while processing your request. Please try again or reach out to us for help.

🔗Contact Support

✉️hi@orris.care

This is a shared conversation. Sign in to Orris to start your own chat.