Reciprocity versus rhythmicity in spontaneous alternations of nasal airflow.
Active anterior rhinomanometry was used to observe nasal airflow in five men and four women (ages 18-30). Measurements were obtained for each nasal passage every 5 min throughout an uninterrupted 8-hr session. Facial skin temperature from the left and right side of the face was recorded simultaneously from thermocouples. Observations were made during the months of May and June; subjects were allowed to maintain their routine diurnally active schedules prior to observation. Airflow in the two passages showed a significant negative correlation (i.e. was reciprocal) in 44% of subjects (N = 9). Autocorrelation and spectral analysis of the airflow data found evidence of periodicity in 39% of individual nostrils and 56% of subjects. Mean estimated period was 4.5 +/- 1.0 hr (range 3.5-6.0 hr). Only 22% of subjects showed statistical evidence of periodicity in both nostrils (i.e. a "nasal cycle"). Left- and right-side facial skin temperatures changed in parallel rather than reciprocally, but showed evidence of periodicity in 50% of hemifacial time series (56% of subjects), with an estimated period of 3.8 +/- 1.0 hr (range 2.3-5.0).
Gilbert
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Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104-3308.
D000204:Activity Cycles / Q000502:physiology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009666:Nose / Q000502:physiology*; D012119:Respiration / Q000502:physiology*; D012881:Skin Temperature