Which tissue lines the main opening into the nose and moistens air as it passes through?

• A. Nasal mucous membrane
• B. Respiratory system
• C. Lumbar puncture
• D. Sinus cavities

Answer: (A)

Moistening and warming air as it passes through the nose is done by the nasal mucous membrane. This tissue lines the nasal cavity, including the nostrils, and is rich in goblet cells that secrete mucus and ciliated cells that move mucus toward the throat. The mucus traps particles and along with the cilia helps humidify and filter the air you breathe. The broader respiratory system is the overall organ network, not a single tissue. A lumbar puncture is a procedure, not a tissue. Sinus cavities are spaces within the skull lined by mucosa, but the tissue that directly lines the main opening into the nose and moistens air is the nasal mucous membrane.