We must breathe to live. Although we can also breathe through the mouth, nasal breathing is physiological. The nose, which is the first organ of the respiratory system, ensures that the air is adapted to the lower respiratory tract, thanks to its very special structure.
What are the Structure and Functions of the Nose?
Heating, humidifying and filtering the respiratory air. It is only possible with nasal breathing. The structures called turbinates in the nose are very rich in blood supply. Thanks to the widespread vascular network they contain, the air passing around the turbinates reaches body temperature by the time it reaches the nasal area. A nasal secretion called mucus is produced in special cells located in the turbinates. Thanks to the warmth of the turbinates and mucus, a moist environment is created in the nose. Dust particles and some microorganisms in the air passing through the nose stick to the mucus. In this way, the air going to the lungs becomes clean and moist.
Our nose has 3 important tasks during breathing: heating, humidifying and filtering the air. During the processing of respiratory air in this way, our nose also becomes cold, dry and dirty. The nasal cavity, which becomes cold, dry and dirty at a certain level, becomes tired. This situation is perceived by the central nervous system thanks to nerve connections. Through reflex pathways, the tired nasal cavity is put to rest and the other nasal cavity becomes more active. Thus, although we continue to breathe uninterruptedly through our nose, one nasal cavity is actually blocked - it is in a resting period, and the other nasal cavity is functioning. This cycle, which consists of the sequential functioning of the nasal cavities, is called the nasal cycle.
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