Ethmoid
Ethmoid
The Ethmoid (pronounced: /ˈɛθmɔɪd/) is a bone in the skull that separates the nasal cavity from the brain. It is located at the roof of the nose, between the two orbits. The ethmoid bone is one of the most complex bones in the body due to its delicate and intricate structure.
Etymology
The term "Ethmoid" is derived from the Greek word "ethmos," meaning sieve, and "eidos," meaning form or shape. This is due to the numerous perforations in the ethmoid bone that allow for the passage of various structures.
Structure
The ethmoid bone is made up of three parts: the cribriform plate, the ethmoidal labyrinth, and the perpendicular plate.
- The Cribriform Plate is a sieve-like structure that allows for the passage of the olfactory nerves that are responsible for the sense of smell.
- The Ethmoidal Labyrinth consists of a large mass on either side of the perpendicular plate, filled with air cells that are separated from each other by thin bony septa.
- The Perpendicular Plate contributes to the formation of the nasal septum, which divides the nasal cavity into two halves.
Function
The ethmoid bone plays a crucial role in both the respiratory and olfactory systems. It provides support to the orbits and the nasal cavity, and houses the olfactory nerves that are responsible for the sense of smell.
Related Terms
- Nasal Septum: The partition in the middle of the nose.
- Olfactory Nerves: The nerves responsible for the sense of smell.
- Orbits: The bony structures that contain the eyes.
- Cribriform Plate: A part of the ethmoid bone.
- Ethmoidal Labyrinth: A part of the ethmoid bone.
- Perpendicular Plate: A part of the ethmoid bone.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Ethmoid
- Wikipedia's article - Ethmoid
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski