Ethmoid bone
Ethmoid Bone
The Ethmoid bone (/ˈɛθmɔɪd/; from Greek ethmos, "sieve" and eidos, "form") is an unpaired 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 contributes to the medial wall of the orbit, the nasal cavity, and the nasal septum.
Etymology
The term "Ethmoid" is derived from the Greek words "ethmos," meaning sieve, and "eidos," meaning form. This is due to the bone's sieve-like structure.
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 between the Anterior Cranial Fossa and the Nasal Cavity. It 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 and contributes to the Ethmoid Sinus.
- The Perpendicular Plate contributes to the upper part of the nasal septum.
Function
The ethmoid bone plays a crucial role in supporting the organs of smell (olfactory organs) and contributing to the structure of the Nasal Cavity, Orbit, and Anterior Cranial Fossa. It also helps to protect the brain by forming a barrier between it and the nasal cavity.
Related Terms
- Cranial Bones: The group of bones that form the skull, including the ethmoid bone.
- Nasal Septum: The bone and cartilage in the nose that separates the nostrils. Part of it is made up of the ethmoid bone.
- Olfactory Nerves: The nerves that pass through the cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone and provide the sense of smell.
- Ethmoid Sinus: One of the paranasal sinuses, it is a collection of air cells within the ethmoid bone.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Ethmoid bone
- Wikipedia's article - Ethmoid bone
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