Body parts that start with N range from the very visible, like your nose, neck and nails, to the microscopic, like the neurons that carry your thoughts and the nephrons that filter your blood.
Here are more than 15 human body parts that start with N, grouped by body system, each with a short and accurate explanation.
Quick List: Body Parts That Start With N
| Nails | Neck | Neurons |
| Nasal bones | Nephrons | Nipple |
| Nasal cavity | Nerves | Nose |
| Nasal septum | Nervous system | Nostrils |
| Nasopharynx | Navel | Navicular bone |
| Nail bed |
Nose and Airways
Nose: The organ of smell and the main entrance for air. It warms, moistens and filters the air you breathe, and it shapes the sound of your voice.
Nostrils: The two openings of the nose, properly called the nares. Small hairs inside them trap dust and particles.
Nasal cavity: The air-filled space inside the nose. It is lined with mucous membrane and, at its roof, with the special cells that detect smells.
Nasal septum: The wall of cartilage and bone that divides the nasal cavity into left and right sides. If it is noticeably off-centre, it is called a deviated septum.
Nasal bones: Two small bones that form the bridge of the nose. They are among the most commonly broken bones of the face.
Nasopharynx: The upper part of the throat, behind the nose. The auditory tubes open into it, and the adenoids sit on its back wall.
Nervous System
Nervous system: The body’s communication network. The central nervous system is the brain and spinal cord; the peripheral nervous system is all the nerves that branch out to the rest of the body.
Neurons: Nerve cells, the basic units of the nervous system. They send electrical and chemical signals to one another and to muscles and glands. The human brain contains around 86 billion of them.
Nerves: Bundles of nerve fibres wrapped in protective tissue. They carry signals between the brain or spinal cord and the rest of the body, controlling movement and carrying sensations like touch, pain and temperature.
Kidneys
Nephrons: The tiny filtering units of the kidney. Each kidney has around one million of them. They filter the blood, reabsorb what the body needs and turn the rest into urine.
Body Regions, Skin and Bones
Neck: The part of the body that connects the head to the trunk. It contains the seven cervical vertebrae, the windpipe, the esophagus, major blood vessels and the thyroid gland.
Navel: The belly button, the scar where the umbilical cord was attached before birth. Its medical name is the umbilicus.
Nipple: The raised tip at the centre of the breast, surrounded by the areola. In women, milk ducts open here during breastfeeding.
Nails: Hard plates of keratin on the tips of the fingers and toes. They protect the fingertips and help with picking up small objects.
Nail bed: The skin underneath the nail. It is rich in blood vessels, which give healthy nails their pink colour.
Navicular bone: A boat-shaped bone on the inner side of the foot, in front of the ankle. It is a key part of the foot’s arch.
Common Mix-Ups to Avoid
- Nerves vs. neurons: A neuron is a single nerve cell; a nerve is a bundle of many nerve fibres.
- Nephrons vs. neurons: Nephrons filter blood in the kidneys; neurons carry signals in the nervous system.
- Nasal cavity vs. nasopharynx: The nasal cavity is inside the nose; the nasopharynx is the space behind it, at the top of the throat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which organ starts with N?
The nose is the main organ that starts with N. It is the organ of smell.
What is the smallest body part that starts with N?
Neurons and nephrons are both microscopic. You need a microscope to see an individual one.
What are easy N body parts for kids?
Nose, neck, nails, nostrils and navel are simple words children can learn and point to.
Conclusion
From the nose you breathe through to the neurons that carry every thought, the letter N links the senses, the nervous system and the kidneys. Grouping these words by system makes them easier to remember.
Continue the series with body parts that start with M and body parts that start with O.
This article is for general education only and is not medical advice. If you have a health concern, please talk to a doctor.
