neuskamer

Neuskamer, in medical Dutch usage, refers to the nasal cavity, the air-filled space inside the nose that forms the upper part of the respiratory tract. It lies behind the nostrils and extends to the choanae, where it opens into the nasopharynx. The cavity is divided into two halves by the nasal septum.

Anatomy and structure: The walls of the neuskamer are formed by skull bones and cartilage and are lined with a mucous membrane. The lining consists of pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium with goblet cells, which produces mucus and contains cilia that move mucus toward the throat. The cavity contains three pairs of turbinates (conchae) – superior, middle, and inferior – that create multiple narrow passages, increasing surface area for warming, humidifying, and filtering air. The nasal vestibule at the entrance contains hairs that help trap larger particles, and the roof of the cavity houses the olfactory epithelium responsible for the sense of smell.

Functions: The neuskamer conditions inhaled air by warming it to near body temperature and humidifying it to nearly 100 percent humidity, while filtering particles through mucus and ciliary movement. It also contains the olfactory region for smell and contributes to voice resonance.

Clinical relevance: Common conditions affecting the neuskamer include nasal congestion from infections or allergies, deviated septum, and nasal polyps, which can impair airflow and drainage. Management ranges from medications to surgical procedures such as septoplasty or turbinectomy, depending on the underlying cause.

Development and variation: In humans, the neuskamer develops from the nasal region of the skull and shows variation in size and conchal anatomy between individuals and across species, influencing airflow and humidification efficiency.