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The
nose is a very important organ of the human body and the
first portion of the respiratory tract. It comprises the
main passageway for air into and out of the lungs. It
separates into two hollow nostrils that open up into the
nasal cavity. The nasal cavities are covered by a
protective membrane called the nasal mucosa the functions
of which are essential for respiration.
The nose:
• filters, warms and moisturizes daily
more than 10.000 cubic meter of inhaled air, before it
passes
towards the lower respiratory tract, the sinuses
and the middle ear;
• produces mucous which protects the body by trapping
foreign particles such as bacteria, viruses,
allergens,
dust, etc;
• releases antibodies to combat infection and allergens.
The nose is thus the first line of defense
against many air-borne pathogens.
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