Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany.
Am J Rhinol Allergy. 2009 Nov-Dec;23(6):575-7. doi: 10.2500/ajra.2009.23.3362.
Changes of nasal dimensions can influence the air-conditioning capacity of the nose because of alterations of airflow patterns. The goal of this study was to evaluate the correlation between intranasal temperature and humidity values and nasal dimensions, assessed by means of acoustic rhinometry.
Eighty healthy volunteers (40 men and 40 women; median age, 51 years; range, 20-84 years) were enrolled in the study. In total, 160 nasal cavities were examined. All volunteers underwent a standardized acoustic rhinometry. Additionally, intranasal air temperature and humidity measurements at defined intranasal detection sites within the anterior nasal segment were performed.
There was no statistically significant difference between the right and left side of the nose regarding air temperature, absolute humidity, and acoustic rhinometric values. A negative correlation was established between the rhinometric nasal volumes/minimal cross-sectional areas and air temperature and absolute humidity values at the three intranasal detection sites.
According to our results, nasal volumes and cross- sectional areas relevantly influence nasal air conditioning. A healthy nasal cavity with smaller volumes and cross-sectional areas seems to present a more effective air-conditioning function than a too "wide" open nose because of changes in airflow patterns. This observation should be considered as a limitation for overly extensive nasal surgery especially of the turbinates.
由于气流模式的改变，鼻腔尺寸的变化会影响鼻子的空气调节能力。本研究的目的是评估通过鼻声反射测量评估的鼻腔内温度和湿度值与鼻腔尺寸之间的相关性。
共纳入 80 名健康志愿者（男 40 名，女 40 名；中位年龄 51 岁；范围 20-84 岁）。共检查了 160 个鼻腔。所有志愿者均接受了标准化的鼻声反射测量。此外，还在鼻腔前段的特定鼻腔检测部位测量了鼻腔内空气温度和湿度。
鼻腔内空气温度、绝对湿度和鼻声反射测量值的左右两侧之间无统计学差异。鼻声反射测量的鼻腔体积/最小横截面积与三个鼻腔检测部位的空气温度和绝对湿度值呈负相关。
根据我们的结果，鼻腔体积和横截面积对鼻腔空气调节有重要影响。与过于“宽阔”的鼻腔相比，健康的鼻腔具有较小的体积和横截面积，由于气流模式的改变，可能具有更有效的空气调节功能。这种观察结果应被视为过度广泛的鼻腔手术（尤其是鼻甲手术）的局限性。
