Nasal airflow during respiratory cycle.
BACKGROUND
Knowledge on the airflow patterns in the nasal cavity is essential to understanding the function of the nasal cavity. This study has attempted to observe the breath cycle of nasal airflow during respiration at rest.


METHODS
We constructed a nasal cavity model by rapid prototyping using 1.25-mm-thick CT data and devised a piston pump driven by a cam, to simulate respiration at rest. The airflow was evaluated with particle image velocimetry and visualized in coronal reconstructed images.


RESULTS
During the inspiration, a maximal velocity was observed at the valve area and the main stream occurred in the middle and superior airways. During the expiration, main stream was noted in the middle airway and was slow compared with the flow during inspiration. Vortexes were observed between inspiration and expiration.


CONCLUSIONS
This result widens our knowledge of nasal airflow and this technique will allow a more physiological understanding of nasal operations.
Chung
Seung-Kyu
SK
Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
Son
Young Rak
YR
Shin
Seok Jae
SJ
Kim
Sung-Kyun
SK
D045853:Exhalation / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D001239:Inhalation / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000502:physiology*; D009666:Nose / Q000502:physiology*