title: Anatomy and physiology of the upper airway.
abstract: The nose is the major portal of air exchange between the internal and external environment. The nose participates in the vital functions of conditioning inspired air toward a temperature of 37°C and 100% relative humidity, providing local defense and filtering inhaled particulate matter and gases. It also functions in olfaction, which provides both a defense and pleasure for the individual. Understanding normal physiology provides the basis for recognizing abnormalities.
authors.affiliation: Umraniye Education and Research Hospital, Department of Otolaryngology, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Asli
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sahin-Yilmaz
authors.forename: Robert M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Naclerio
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009079:Mucociliary Clearance; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D009666:Nose / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation; D012016:Reference Values; D012137:Respiratory System; D014420:Turbinates / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology