Cyclical changes in nasal airway resistance and middle ear pressures.
The relationship between unilateral changes in nasal airway resistance and the ipsilateral middle ear pressure were investigated in 8 otologically and rhinologically normal adults over the course of 7 1/2 h under laboratory conditions. Despite mean changes in unilateral nasal resistance of 0.75 Pa/cm3/s associated with the nasal cycle, no correlation existed with changes in ipsilateral Eustachian tube function, as judged by serial middle ear pressure recordings (r = 0.06, r2 = 0.00, p = 0.461). Middle ear pressure in healthy adults in a controlled environment remained very constant (mean = -6.71 +/- 0.52 daPa). 69% of middle ear pressures were equal to or above 0 daPa, which represents evidence in favour of a net positive production of middle ear gas.
Knight
L C
LC
Department of Physiology, University of Wales College of Cardiff, Great Britain.
Eccles
R
R
Reilly
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000403:Airway Resistance / Q000502:physiology*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000502:physiology*; D005064:Eustachian Tube / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009666:Nose / Q000502:physiology*; D011312:Pressure