Flow mechanisms in the human olfactory groove: numerical simulation of nasal physiological respiration during inspiration, expiration, and sniffing.
OBJECTIVE
To visualize the velocity and the streamline of physiological unsteady nasal flow and sniffing using the computational fluid dynamics method and to compare the inspiratory phase, expiratory phase, and sniffing flow patterns of the olfactory area.


METHODS
An anatomically correct 3-dimensional nasal and pharyngeal cavity was constructed from computed tomographic images of a healthy adult nose and pharynx. The unsteady state Navier-Stokes and continuity equations were solved numerically on inspiratory and expiratory nasal flow and sniffing.


METHODS
Numerical simulation application.


METHODS
The detailed velocity distribution and streamline distribution of nasal airflow were visualized using the computational fluid dynamics method (an imaging technology for regional flow factors [velocity and streamline]).


RESULTS
The inspiratory flow passes through a wider olfactory area than the expiratory flow, and the sniffing flow passes through the widest olfactory area without increasing the velocity of the airflow. In addition, a recirculating flow strongly promotes olfactory function.


CONCLUSIONS
The computational fluid dynamics model allows for the investigation of the flow mechanisms in the human olfactory groove.
Ishikawa
Shigeru
S
Department of Otolaryngology Kanazawa Municipal Hospital, 3-7-3 Heiwa-machi Kanazawa, Ishikawa 921-8105, Japan. ishikawa@po.incl.ne.jp
Nakayama
Toshio
T
Watanabe
Masahiro
M
Matsuzawa
Teruo
T
D000392:Air Movements; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D010614:Pharynx / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D011859:Radiography; D012143:Respiratory Physiological Phenomena