The phrase 'nares are patent' basically means that the nostrils are open. The opposite would be latent which means that the nostrils are hidden. This is not common.
nares nares
James Nares died in 1783.
James Nares was born in 1715.
Robert Nares died in 1829.
Robert Nares was born in 1753.
Geoffrey Nares died in 1934.
Geoffrey Nares was born in 1917.
Owen Nares is 5' 10".
Nares is the plural of the singular noun naris
nares are nostrils. the maxillary bones form the lateral margins of external nares/nostrils
Nares - nostrils, Pinnae - ears.