Your nose is formed by 12 bones in total, but only 8 distinct bones. This is because four of the bones exist as pairs while the remaining four do not. All 12 of those bones are cranial bones.
The nasal cavity is made up of the following bones:
Paired bones:
- Nasal bones: These are two small oblong bones located at the middle and upper part of the nose.
- Maxillary bones: These are two large bones that form the upper jaw.
- Palatine bones: These are two bones that form the roof of the mouth.
Unpaired bones:
- Ethmoid bone: This bone is located at the base of the skull and forms part of the roof of the nasal cavity.
- Vomer bone: This bone forms the lower part of the nasal septum, which divides the nasal cavity into two chambers.
These bones help to give the nose its shape and structure. They also play an important role in breathing and smelling.
