title: [Nasal-air conditioning].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We present a review of nasal-air conditioning, a process essential to undisturbed gas exchange and cleansing of the respiratory mucosa in the nose.
  
  
  METHODS
  A selective literature review was made on the basis of in vivo measurements and computer simulation of the upper airways as well as the authors' own clinical and experimental data.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Healthy subjects normally breathe through the nose, although the nasal airways have significantly higher airway resistance compared to the oral cavity, which is opened for breathing during exercise, in the case of nasal airway blockage, or in allergic rhinitis. In addition to olfaction, the main tasks of nasal breathing include: cleansing, defense, and conditioning (i.e., humidification and heating). The current knowledge of nasal conditioning processes will be discussed. In addition, research activities of particular relevance for diagnosis and intervention in various pathologies of the upper airways will be presented.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Hals-, Nasen-, Ohrenheilkunde, Kopf-, Hals- und Plastische Gesichtschirurgie, Krankenhaus der Elisabethinen GmbH, Akademisches Lehrkrankenhaus der Medizinischen Universität Graz, Elisabethinergasse 14, 8020, Graz, Austria. tilman.keck@elisabethinen.at
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Keck
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rozsasi
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Gruen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009666:Nose / Q000502:physiology*; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation / Q000502:physiology*; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics / Q000502:physiology*