Nasal Cavity
The nose and nasal cavity is what begins the process inside the respiratory system. The nose is the organ with which we breathe air in. The nasal cavity is the are inside the nose, separated from the oral cavity (the area inside the mouth) by the nasal spine. The purpose of the nasal cavity is to deliver cleaned, moistened, and warmed air to the pharynx (throat). The cavity is lined with mucous that has tiny hairs on it. The hairs trap dust particles and other pathogens so that the air clean to pass into the next stage. The hairs cause sneezing to get rid of pathogens and send them back out into the atmosphere.
The nasal cavity is divided in half by a cartilage structure called the nasal septum. Both halves of the cavity function similarly, each nostril leasing into its appropriate part. For both parts of the nasal cavity there is a sinus cavity, which holds mucous. The mucous is supplied to the nasal cavity when needed for its lining. When too much mucous is developed, or could not be supplied to the nasal cavity, that is when you get a stuffy nose.
The nasal cavity is divided in half by a cartilage structure called the nasal septum. Both halves of the cavity function similarly, each nostril leasing into its appropriate part. For both parts of the nasal cavity there is a sinus cavity, which holds mucous. The mucous is supplied to the nasal cavity when needed for its lining. When too much mucous is developed, or could not be supplied to the nasal cavity, that is when you get a stuffy nose.