The nose and paranasal sinuses. 2010

A Varricchio, and F Avvisati, and A M Varricchio, and G Tortoriello, and G Ciprandi
U.O.C. di O.R.L., Ospedale S. Gennaro, ASL Na1, Naples, Italy. danila.vigliar@aliceposta.it

The airways should be considered as a functional unit. Indeed, disorders involving the upper respiratory tract (URT) spread to the lower respiratory tract (LRT). Modern functional anatomy divides URT in three, mutually dependent, junction boxes: i) the ostio-meatal complex (OMC), ii) the spheno-ethmoidal recess (SER), and iii) the rhinopharynx (RP). The first is the most interesting as it joins the anterior paranasal sinuses with the nose. The correct ventilation and the effective mucociliary clearance of these three pathophysiologic junction boxes condition the healthy physiology of the entire respiratory system. The OMC, SER and RP obstruction is the first pathogenic step in the inflammatory cascade of the rhino-sinusal-pharyngeal disorders. The inflammation of the respiratory mucosa is the main pathogenic factor for airway obstruction that may be generically defined as a heterogeneous group of pathologies. Moreover, the bacterial biofilms are an important local cause of recurrent diseases: they are a strategic modality of survival set up by bacteria and the main cause of their resistance to systemic antibiotic therapy.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009666 Nose A part of the upper respiratory tract. It contains the organ of SMELL. The term includes the external nose, the nasal cavity, and the PARANASAL SINUSES. External Nose,External Noses,Nose, External,Noses,Noses, External
D010256 Paranasal Sinuses Air-filled spaces located within the bones around the NASAL CAVITY. They are extensions of the nasal cavity and lined by the ciliated NASAL MUCOSA. Each sinus is named for the cranial bone in which it is located, such as the ETHMOID SINUS; the FRONTAL SINUS; the MAXILLARY SINUS; and the SPHENOID SINUS. Nasal Sinuses,Osteomeatal Complex,Ostiomeatal Complex,Ostiomeatal Unit,Sinonasal Tract,Supraorbital Ethmoid Cell,Cell, Supraorbital Ethmoid,Complex, Osteomeatal,Ethmoid Cell, Supraorbital,Osteomeatal Complices,Ostiomeatal Complices,Ostiomeatal Units,Sinonasal Tracts,Sinuses, Nasal,Supraorbital Ethmoid Cells,Tract, Sinonasal
D010614 Pharynx A funnel-shaped fibromuscular tube that conducts food to the ESOPHAGUS, and air to the LARYNX and LUNGS. It is located posterior to the NASAL CAVITY; ORAL CAVITY; and LARYNX, and extends from the SKULL BASE to the inferior border of the CRICOID CARTILAGE anteriorly and to the inferior border of the C6 vertebra posteriorly. It is divided into the NASOPHARYNX; OROPHARYNX; and HYPOPHARYNX (laryngopharynx). Throat,Pharynxs,Throats
D012141 Respiratory Tract Infections Invasion of the host RESPIRATORY SYSTEM by microorganisms, usually leading to pathological processes or diseases. Respiratory System Infections,Upper Respiratory Tract Infection,Upper Respiratory Tract Infections,Infections, Respiratory,Infections, Respiratory Tract,Infections, Upper Respiratory,Infections, Upper Respiratory Tract,Respiratory Infections,Upper Respiratory Infections,Infection, Respiratory System,Infection, Respiratory Tract,Respiratory Infection, Upper,Respiratory System Infection,Respiratory Tract Infection
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D018441 Biofilms Encrustations formed from microbes (bacteria, algae, fungi, plankton, or protozoa) embedded in an EXTRACELLULAR POLYMERIC SUBSTANCE MATRIX that is secreted by the microbes. They occur on body surfaces such as teeth (DENTAL DEPOSITS); inanimate objects, and bodies of water. Biofilms are prevented from forming by treating surfaces with DENTIFRICES; DISINFECTANTS; ANTI-INFECTIVE AGENTS; and anti-fouling agents. Biofilm

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