The Nose

Your nose sits in the middle of your face. It has two holes called nostrils. You use your nose to breathe in air and smell things around you. The nose also helps warm and clean the air before it goes into your lungs.

How the Nose Smells

Inside your nose are tiny cells that pick up smells. When you sniff, smells float up into your nose. These cells send messages to your brain. Your brain then tells you what you are smelling, like flowers or cookies.

A labeled drawing of the nose and how smells reach the brain.
A labeled drawing of the nose and how smells reach the brain. (Patrick J. Lynch, medical illustrator / Wikimedia Commons)

Nose and Taste

Your nose also helps you taste food. Smell and taste work together. If your nose is stuffed up from a cold, food may taste boring. This is why holding your nose can make yucky medicine easier to swallow.

Fun Facts

  • People can smell about one trillion different smells.
  • Your nose makes about a cup of mucus every day.
  • Nose hairs help trap dust and keep it out of your lungs.

Did You Know?

Your nose and ears never stop growing. That is why older people often have bigger noses and ears.