How the Ear, Nose, and Throat Work
Many people around the world suffer from disorders of the ear, nose, and throat. Although the disorders are not life threatening, they can still cause quite a lot of discomfort.
More often than not, the cause of all these disorders is the sinus. The sinus is a cavity inside the skull that is filled with air. The sinuses in the nostrils, or para-nasal sinuses, play an important role in the inhalation process. They are lined with mucus, and they can help to moisten as well as keep the inhaled air warm. Whenever the drainage in the sinuses is blocked, a condition called sinusitis arises. The infection in the sinus causes pus to accumulate, and as a consequence, the person starts to feel pain in the infected area as well as a headache.
The nose is the organ used for detecting smell, and it contains several small hair-like projections called cilia, which is located at the top of the nasal passage. These projections are actually a specialized type of neuron. When fragrances that are drifting in the surrounding air are inhaled, the cilia detect the chemicals and pass the information to the brain. This results in the perception of smell. The human nose can identify about 10,000 different types of smell, and it can even differentiate rather similar smells.
The ear is the organ that picks up sound waves and sends those signals to the brain. The ear’s function is not only limited to hearing; it helps the body to maintain a balance as well. There are a number of distinct sections of the human ear. They are the eardrum or tympanic membrane, inner ear or cochlea, the external ear, the middle ear, the ear canal, the hearing nerve, and the Eustachian tube. When the sound waves strike the ear drum, the vibrations are transferred to the inner ear through a number of tiny bones. Finally, the inner ear transforms the waves into nerve impulses, which are sent to the brain.
The throat region contains the epiglottis, pharynx, and larynx. The throat is used for swallowing food, wherein the pharynx channelizes the food to the stomach and oesophagus. It is also used for breathing, wherein air passes through the pharynx and travels to the trachea and lungs. The pharynx is shaped like a funnel, and it connects to the oesophagus and the windpipe, which is also known as trachea.
Since the ear, nose, and throat are connected in the body, there are many ailments and problems that will effect all three, including:
Sinus is a very common sickness that prevents the ear, nose, and throat from functioning properly. However, it can be cured effectively. So, whenever you feel a certain discomfort in your ear, nose, or throat, you should consult a doctor. A regular health check is also recommended.