Morphotopography of nasal mucosa vascularity in sheep

Abstract

The nasal mucosa membrane is supplied by the sphenopalatine artery (a branch of the descending palatine artery) which forms an arterial network before entering the sphenopalatine conduct. In the nasal cavity, the artery divides into four branches, each one of them reaching the floor and the walls of the nasal cavity. These branches give birth to some verybranched arterial networks. These networks are arranged on a superficial and a profound layer. The fact that the majority of the arteries in the nasal cavity are oriented towards its roof is remarkable. Histologically speaking, a developed muscular layer is to be observed. This layer diminishes the arterial lumen, thus controlling the speed and blood quantity going through these vessels.