title: Nasal mucosal temperature in relation to nasal airflow as measured by rhinomanometry.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to measure in vivo nasal mucosal temperature and assess its relationship to nasal patency.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nasal mucosal temperature of 30 nasal cavities was measured by means of a miniaturized thermocouple within the anterior turbinate area during respiration. Temperature values were compared with corresponding rhinomanometrical data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median mucosal temperature ranged from 30.2 degrees C (range, 28.9-31.7 degrees C) after inspiration to 32.2 degrees C (range, 31.0-33.9 degrees C) after expiration. The end-inspiratory (r = -0.85) and end-expiratory mucosal temperature values (r = -0.88) negatively correlated with the rhinomanometrical data.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study supports the fact that there is a negative correlation between nasal mucosal temperature and nasal resistance. Changes in nasal patency seem to influence nasal mucosal temperature. Within this context, nasal thermoreceptors might play an important role concerning the perception of nasal patency.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Ulm, Frauensteige 12, D-89075 Ulm, Germany. joerg.lindemann@uniklinik-ulm.de
authors.forename: Joerg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lindemann
authors.forename: Tilman
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Keck
authors.forename: Marc Oliver
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Scheithauer
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Leiacker
authors.forename: Kerstin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wiesmiller
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D001239:Inhalation / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000502:physiology*; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000502:physiology*; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation / Q000502:physiology*; D012016:Reference Values; D025363:Rhinomanometry / Q000379:methods*