Anterior Nares

The anterior nares are the external part of the nose (Nostrils). Each opening is independently called an anterior naris. The anterior nares enable the inhalation as well as exhalation, and open within the nasal cavity. Each opening has an oval shape and generally measures nearly 1.5 cm anteroposteriorly and 1 cm in diameter.

Anterior Nares

Structure

Each naris is created via a ring of structures:

• Medially – the columella which is soft tissue anteroinferior part of the nasal septum.
• Laterally and superiorly – the ala.
• Inferiorly – the nasal sill.

Functions

• Hairs in the anterior nares that is the first barrier, helps to remove large particles.
• The mucociliary escalator evicts any microbe or matter passing through this defence system.
• The presence of the ciliated epithelial cells and mucus-secreting cells that line the respiratory epithelium are main factors of this cleaning system.

Clinical Significance

Microbe Population

The anterior nares basically have an epithelium and microflora same as the skin.

The prevailing organisms are:

• Staphylococcus aureus.
• Epidennidis.
• Micrococcus spp.
• Corynebacteriutti spp.

Staphylococcus aureus is generally existent in 20-40% of the population.

The moist squamous epithelium of the anterior nares is generally the primary habitat of S. aureus. The ability of S. aureus to colonize the nares is determined in part by adhesins that allow the bacterium to bind to the surface of the squamous epithelial cells in the stratum corneum. Surface proteins ClfB, IsdA, SdrC, SdrD and SasG can each promote bacterial adhesion to squames in vitro but only IsdA and ClfB have been shown to facilitate experimental colonization of the nares of rodents and, in the case of ClfB, human volunteers.

Rhinoplasty

• It is a plastic surgery method related to nose and nasal structure for therapeutic, beautification, recreation or structural damage repair, aesthetic modification or dermatological purpose.
• For external structure modification anterior nares play an important role in rhinoplastic procedures for it is vital for aesthetic alignment.