Burun

Burun is the Turkish term for the nose, encompassing both the external visible structure on the face and the internal nasal cavity and passages involved in respiration and olfaction. The external nose consists of bone and cartilage, supported by the nasal bones, the frontal process of the maxilla, and various alar and septal cartilages. It forms the dorsum, tip, and wings (alae) and opens to the environment through two nostrils (nares).

The internal nasal cavity is divided by the nasal septum into two halves and is lined with mucous membrane bearing ciliated epithelium. Lateral walls contain turbinates (conchae) that create turbulent airflow, increasing surface area for warming, humidifying, and filtering inspired air. The mucosa also houses receptors for the sense of smell in the superior region, the olfactory epithelium, which interfaces with olfactory nerve fibers.

The nasal cavity communicates with the paranasal sinuses (maxillary, frontal, ethmoidal, and sphenoidal) and with the nasopharynx via the choanae. Functionally, the burun filtrates particulates, humidifies and heats inhaled air, and serves as a resonance chamber for voice. Olfactory perception provides a sense of smell, while trigeminal innervation conveys tactile and nociceptive sensation.

Innervation includes the olfactory nerve for smell and branches of the trigeminal nerve (V1 and V2) for sensation. Blood supply arises from branches of the facial and maxillary arteries, with venous drainage into facial and pterygoid systems. Clinically, burun-related conditions include rhinitis, sinusitis, nasal polyps, deviated septum, and epistaxis, as well as trauma affecting structure and function.