The
nasal vestibule is the most anterior part of the
nasal cavity. It is enclosed by the
cartilages of nose and lined by the same
epithelium of the
skin (stratified squamous, keratinized). The other part of the nasal cavity, which is lined by the
respiratory epithelium, is called
nasal cavity proper. Inside the vestibule are small hairs called
vibrissae, which filter dust and other matter that are breathed in. Within the vestibule, the epithelium loses its keratinised nature and undergoes a transition into typical respiratory epithelium before entering the nasal fossa.