eMedicine Specialties > Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic Surgery > Physiology

Nasal Aerodynamics

Author: Samuel J Lin, MD, Attending Surgeon, Plastic Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Associate Staff Physician, Otolaryngology, Division of Head and Neck Surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School
Coauthor(s): Daniel G Danahey, MD, PhD, Consulting Staff, Michiana Eye Center and Facial Plastic Surgery
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Jan 8, 2009

Nasal Resistance

Nasal airway resistance accounts for more than 50% of total airway resistance.² The nasal cavity has been modeled as 2 resistors in parallel.^1,3 The 3 components of nasal resistance are as follows: the nasal vestibule, nasal valve, and nasal cavum.²

The term nasal valve most often refers to the internal valve, which is the limiting region of airflow. The nasal valve is defined as the lower edge of upper lateral cartilages incorporating the anterior ends of the inferior turbinates adjacent to the nasal septum.² The angle between the septum and the upper lateral cartilage is 10-15°.⁴ The nasal valve is usually located less than 2 cm distal in the nasal passageway, approximately 1.3 cm from the naris. The average cross-sectional area is 0.73 cm².² Nasal resistance is composed of 2 structural elements; the first layer is composed of underlying bone, cartilage, and muscle, and the second layer is the overlying mucosa.

Both environmental and intrinsic factors affect nasal resistance. Factors decreasing resistance include exercise, sympathomimetics, rebreathing, atrophic rhinitis, and erect posture.¹ Exercise causes sympathetic vasoconstriction and contraction of the alae nasi, increasing the capacity of the nasal passages. Rebreathing causes increased arterial carbon dioxide levels, which results in nasal vasoconstriction and reduction in nasal resistance. Going from a supine to an upright position decreases jugulovenous distension and nasal airway resistance.

Causes of increased nasal resistance include infective rhinitis, allergic rhinitis, vasomotor rhinitis, hyperventilation, supine posture, alcohol, aspirin, and cold air.⁵ In vasomotor rhinitis, vagal overactivity causes increased resistance. Nasal resistance increases markedly in the first 2-3 cm of the nasal airway.¹

The nasal vestibule is the first component of nasal resistance. The nasal vestibule is composed of compliant walls that are liable to collapse from the negative pressures generated during inspiration.¹ The vestibule has been termed the external nasal valve. Studies have shown 30 L/min is the limiting flow during inspiration at which nasal airway collapse occurs in this area.¹ The nasal vestibule is primarily supported by alar cartilage and musculofibrous attachments. Despite the tendency, airway collapse is prevented by activation of the dilator naris muscles during inspiration. During expiration, positive pressure is the driving force for nasal vestibule dilation.

Facial nerve paralysis can cause loss of active contraction and contribute to airway obstruction. In suspected facial nerve damage, activity of the alae nasi muscle may be tested.⁶ Loss of innervation can result in alar collapse even in quiet respiration. The voluntary flaring of the naris has been attributed to a possible 20% reduction of nasal resistance, a product of facial nerve contribution to nasal airway resistance.¹ Active dilation of the dilator naris occurs during exercise, reducing airway resistance.⁷

A major area of resistance occurs at the anterior tip of the inferior turbinate at the entrance to the piriform aperture. This important area is called the internal nasal valve. The nasal valve represents the narrowest segment of the airway.¹ In total, the valve area includes the distal end of the upper lateral cartilage, the head of the inferior turbinate, the caudal septum, the floor of the nose, the frontal process of the maxilla, the lateral fibrofatty tissue, and the piriform aperture.³ The nasal valve area is considered as a region rather than an oblique cross-sectional area of the nasal passageway. In 1983, Haight and Cole demonstrated that the anterior end of the inferior turbinate could advance as much as 5 mm with the administration of histamine.⁵

Bachmann and Legler (1972) stated that the nasal valve area occurs at the entrance of the pyriform aperture, which corresponds to a major site of resistance anterior to the tip of the inferior turbinate.⁸ The valve area is dynamic; venous erectile tissue of the turbinate and septum can cause marked obstruction. The clinical relevance of the nasal valve relates to its location. Treatment directed at the inferior turbinate will have marked effects on nasal airway resistance; trimming of the septum posterior to the valve area has fewer effects on resistance. A positive Cottle test result may signify resting narrowing of the nasal valve. A Cottle test result is considered positive if the soft tissue and nasal vestibule are lateralized, increasing the valve angle and airflow.

The nasal cavum is located posterior to the piriform aperture. Its overall contribution to total airway resistance is small. The component of nasal cavum resistance is determined by degree of vascular engorgement of tissues. Acoustic rhinometry demonstrates that the tip of the inferior turbinate narrows the airway immediately posterior to the nasal valve. The turbinated regions of the nasal passage have relatively large cross-sectional areas.¹

Clinical Evaluation of the Nose

Evaluation of nasal obstruction may consist of a physical examination, rhinoscopy with adequate light and a nasal speculum, chemical analysis, imaging studies, and rhinomanometry. Chemical analysis may include neutrophil counts relating to the presence of infection, eosinophil counts in allergic conditions, and mast cell counts in food allergy. Imaging studies include CT scans and MRI. Rhinomanometric techniques include passive, active, and acoustic methods.

Flow Mechanics of Airflow

Briefly, the biomechanics of nasal resistance relate to the study of turbulent flow. Resistance is pressure divided by flow. Based on laminar flow equations, decreases in r, or the nasal airway radius, cause 4-fold decreases in flow, or Q (where L is length, r is radius, P is pressure, h is viscosity, and r is density).²

Q = (D P p r⁴)/(8 h L)

Reynolds number = 2rQ r/h

Mathematically, a Reynolds number greater than 2000 is equated with turbulent flow.¹ The presence of laminar or turbulent flow in the nasal passageway is pertinent to the physiology of air exchange. Inspiratory flow is generally considered as laminar flow. Inspiration lasts approximately 2 seconds and ranges from 12-18 m/s at the nasal valve area during quiet respiration.¹ Expiratory flow has more components of turbulent flow. Turbulent flow facilitates the exchange of heat and moisture. Turbulent flow occurs when transnasal pressures exceed 40-80 Pa. Expiration lasts approximately 3 seconds.¹ Turbulent flow requires more energy expenditure but results in better mixing, which contributes to nasal function. Turbulent flow can prevent clearance of air, which can cause a sensation of obstruction regardless of nasal passage patency.

Nasal resistance is important for respiratory physiology. Automatic positive end-expiratory pressure (Auto-PEEP) occurs from the work that is involved in overcoming resistance during expiration. In postlaryngectomy patients, alveolar collapse is imminent with the loss of nasal airway resistance and Auto-PEEP. The glottis acts as an internal valve to regulate expiratory airflow, thus allowing alveoli to stay open longer during expiration and allowing continued gas exchange.

Rhinomanometry

Rhinomanometry has evolved in recent years as an objective measurement of airway resistance. One of the earliest methods of measuring nasal airflow consisted of moving a pressure cannula along the nasal passage to measure pressure-flow relationships.⁹ Active rhinomanometry refers to flow measurement from the respiratory cycle. The 3 types of active rhinomanometry include anterior, postnasal, and posterior rhinomanometry. Passive rhinomanometry uses airflow from an extrinsic source, such as an air pump.¹

Anterior rhinomanometry measures unilateral airflow. Both nasal passages may be measured separately.² Anterior rhinomanometry and acoustic rhinomanometry are probably the most common methods of clinical measurement of airflow.³

Postnasal rhinomanometry is another form of measurement. Posterior rhinomanometry uses a pressure sensor in the mouth. In this method, total flow from both nasal passages can be measured together, or each nasal passage can be measured separately. One disadvantage of posterior rhinomanometry is that not all patients are able to relax the soft palate sufficiently. In addition, an oral pressure sensor may be prone to artifact due to movement in a patient's mouth.² A significant number of patients seem to be unable to be studied using rhinomanometry for various reasons.

The use of a facemask during rhinomanometry rather than a nasal cannula may be more accurate; the nasal cannula may erroneously dilate the nasal airway.

Passive rhinomanometry relies on the production of airflow from an external source. With a constant pressure, the flow is measured from the nasal mask. However, it has been noted that external introduction of airflow causes "reflex-evoked changes of the thickness of nasal mucosa.".³ Accordingly, this method has found little clinical application.

Anterior rhinomanometry measures the transnasal pressure, which is the difference in pressure from the naris to the nasopharynx. In this method, a pressure probe is placed at the opening of the nostril not being tested.³ The nasal passage acts as an extended tube and assumes the airway pressure of the nasopharynx equals the pressure at the naris of the nontested side. Total resistance can then be calculated from 2 unilateral measurements. However, anterior rhinomanometry cannot be used to measure airway resistance in patients with septal perforations.

Postnasal rhinomanometry uses a pressure sensor placed along the floor of the nose into the nasopharynx. A separate pressure transducer is located at the entrance of the nasal cavity.³ Transnasal pressure differences are then measured.

Posterior rhinomanometry involves placing a pressure sensor transorally into the posterior pharynx. Pressure differences from the nares to the nasopharynx are then measured. Total resistance is measured directly. In this method, patients must be coached to keep the intraoral tube in place.²

Rhinomanometry yields flow-pressure curves. Airflow increases with increased transnasal pressure, but higher pressures may yield turbulent flow secondary to the effects of airway resistance. Turbulent flow results in a limitation of flow generated despite greater transnasal pressure differences.³ Laminar flow is based on a linear relationship between flow and pressure. As nasal obstruction occurs, the amount of flow able to be generated plateaus sooner even with greater pressure changes.

The clinical value of rhinomanometry relates to degree of obstruction. The 2 major types of obstruction are mucosal hypertrophy and structural deformity. Rhinomanometry is performed with and without decongestion and total resistance is calculated. Resistance above 0.3 Pa/mL/s is usually symptomatic.² The one caveat of rhinomanometry is that no resistance can be measured when the nasal passage is completely obstructed.

Decongestion is used to determine a mucosal cause of nasal resistance. Marked reduction in resistance with decongestion suggests mucosal disease. Decongestion causing less than a 35% decrease in resistance suggests a structural cause of nasal obstruction rather than a mucosal cause.²

Acoustic rhinomanometry is based on the analysis of a sound pulse generated into the nasal passages. The sound reflected from the nasal airway is transformed into an area-distance plot. The average distance of maximum constriction is within 2 cm.³ Hilberg in 1989 and Grymer in 1991 demonstrated that cross-sectional area measurements correlated well with radiologic measurements of nasal airway constriction.^10,11

Acoustic rhinomanometry has been considered more accurate near the nasal valve area than areas more posterior in the nasal passage. One advantage of acoustic rhinomanometry is that it provides measures of cross-sectional area along the length of the nasal passage. In contrast, rhinomanometry is based on measurements of the narrowest segment of airway. The normal average minimum cross-sectional area is 0.7 cm² and ranges from 0.3-1.2 cm². With decongestion, the average cross-sectional area may increase to 0.9 cm².¹ Using acoustic rhinomanometry, the average distance from the naris to the anterior portion of the inferior turbinate is 3.3 cm, and the average distance from the naris to the posterior portion is 6.4 cm.³

The main use of acoustic rhinomanometry is its ability to localize areas of constriction. However, technical challenges exist. Malpositioning of the nasal tube can lead to distortion. Essentially, conventional rhinomanometry determines nasal patency, or an individual's ability to breathe. Acoustic rhinomanometry may be used for states of changing musculovascular conditions or changes in nasal valve dimensions.³ However, the clinical usage of acoustic rhinomanometry remains guarded. Tomkinson and Eccles stated that the amount of change in cross-sectional area compared with decongestants did not correlate with change in symptom scores.³

Clinical Causes of Nasal Obstruction

Causes of nasal obstruction²

• Septal deviation
• Turbinate hypertrophy
• Rhinoplasty
• Septal perforation
• Valvular collapse
• Choanal atresia
• Neoplasm
• Polyposis
• Allergic rhinitis
• Septal hematoma
• Septal perforation
• Rhinitis medicamentosa
• Vasomotor rhinitis
• Sinusitis

Mucosal vasodilation from pathogen-induced histamine release may cause allergic nasal obstruction. Inflammation and drainage from sinusitis may contribute to obstruction. Septal deviation is a common cause of obstruction. The relative size of turbinate hypertrophy is important because 50% of airflow is in the middle portion of the airway. Turbinates adjacent to a septal perforation may hypertrophy secondary to nasal airway turbulence, causing further airway resistance. Valvular collapse secondary to insufficient cartilaginous support may cause nasal obstruction. In addition, rhinoplasty may be the significant factor in iatrogenic nasal obstruction.

Rhinoplasty and Nasal Aerodynamics

As many as 10% of patients have been identified with nasal obstruction following rhinoplasty.¹² Nasal valve contraction may be due to improper placement of intercartilaginous incisions.¹² The Cottle test may be used in the office for the diagnosis of nasal valve obstruction. A positive Cottle test result (improvement of subjective nasal airflow with lateral displacement of the cheek and alae) may suggest collapse of the valve after rhinoplasty. Parkes writes that inaccurate trimming of the upper lateral cartilage can cause protrusion of the cartilage into the nasal airway, causing nasal obstruction.¹³

A successful rhinoplasty is both aesthetically and functionally sound. The success of a postoperative external nose is diminished when the patient is unable to breathe through his or her nose. A narrowed supratip area due to overresection of the upper lateral cartilages may cause significant nasal obstruction.¹⁴ The periosteum of the bony nasal vault serves to hold the nasal bones in place after osteotomy. Sachs states that getting the elevation of the periosteum to be exact is crucial. Periosteal elevation should begin 2 mm above the caudal edge of the nasal bones and proceed laterally to the extent that is half the distance of the width of the remaining nasal bones after hump removal.

Osteotomies may be the most destructive portion of the rhinoplasty, so careful planning is crucial. One approach first focuses on the glabellar area. Sachs believes that most glabellar regions do not need narrowing; thus, osteotomies do not have to be carried to their most superior extent in the nasal-frontal suture line. Sachs also states that periosteal elevation should be minimized. Insertion of the osteotome is also important to prevent the formation of scarring of the anterior vestibule; a nasal speculum should be used to retract the nasal vestibule as laterally as possible before insertion of the osteotome along the piriform aperture.

The nasal valve is an important consideration in rhinoplasty. In particular, 2 incisions have great potential to change the dynamics of the valve. The intercartilaginous incision and the disarticulation of the upper lateral cartilage from the septum have the potential to increase nasal resistance. The caudal aspect of the upper lateral cartilage should not be excessively trimmed. The nasal valve functions by moving into the vestibule as airway resistance increases. This movement is hampered when insufficient mucosa remains for coverage of the caudal aspect of the upper lateral cartilages.¹⁴ During alteration of the lower lateral cartilages, care should be taken not to resect too much of the most caudal aspect of the cartilage.¹⁴ Overresection in this area leads to alar collapse and nasal obstruction.

Consistent with maintaining lower lateral cartilage support, the nasal tip may be modified by trimming the cephalic borders of the cartilage and inserting tip grafts superficial to the cartilage or by rotating the domes by lateral trimming of tip cartilages.¹⁴ Sachs states that, during rotation of the dome by lateral trimming of tip cartilage, internal vestibular skin must also be trimmed appropriately to avoid airflow obstruction. The feet of the medial crura are additional factors. Sachs states that protrusion of the medial crura into the nasal airway may contribute to obstruction.¹⁴ Beekhuis discusses a number of potential causes of nasal obstruction due to the nasal septum. Note that asymptomatic septal deviations may become problematic for the patient after rhinoplasty.¹⁴

Sachs (1989) also writes that an important area of the septum to consider is the upper bony septum in the area of the perpendicular plate of the ethmoid.¹⁴ Sachs states that this area may cause nasal obstruction and prevent inward displacement of the nasal bones during osteotomy. Correction of the inferior portion of the septum is also important. Rhinoplasty that includes alar base resection moves the sides of the nose medially, and the turbinates can be in contact with previous septal deflections.

Hypertrophic turbinates may also contribute to nasal obstruction after rhinoplasty; resection of the inferior turbinate may be necessary. Septal deformities that affect the nasal valve and narrow the angle between the septum and upper lateral cartilage may cause nasal obstruction. Papel states that separation of the upper lateral cartilage and septum during rhinoplasty may cause a depression of the upper lateral cartilages and increase obstruction at the internal nasal valve.⁴ Tardy (1997) states that the upper lateral cartilages (unless deformed or asymmetric) should be left attached to the septum in the vast majority of patients and that damage to the internal valve commonly results from separating the upper lateral cartilages from the septum.¹⁵ Papel states that incisions must also be well placed to avoid scarring across the nasal valve area causing obstruction.⁴

Tardy (1997) states that manipulating the lateral-most extent of the alar cartilages is seldom necessary; removal of cartilage in this area may cause dimpling and varying amounts of nasal obstruction.¹⁵ Inaccurate lateral osteotomy and infracture can cause significant narrowing of the nasal valve.¹⁶ Webster describes a modified approach to lateral osteotomy that preserved a portion of bone at the frontal process of the maxilla at the piriform aperture.¹⁷

Pontell (1998) writes that correction of nasal valve obstruction due to rhinoplasty may include inferior turbinectomy, septoplasty, spreader grafts, and nasal valvuloplasty.¹⁸ They have advocated revision osteotomy with outfracture of the nasal bones. Scar excision, skin grafting, or Z-plasty may be performed to treat scarring of the nasal valve.¹⁹ Kasperbauer and Kern (1987) note that many cases of nasal obstruction following rhinoplasty relate to previously unrecognized structural problems such as septal deflections, hypertrophied turbinates, or allergies.²⁰ Broker and Berman (1997) state that most authors recommend against connecting the intercartilaginous and columellar incisions to avoid scarring in the domal regions.²¹

Aggressive cephalic trims of the lower lateral cartilages cause weakening of the scroll area with subsequent nasal obstruction. Functional studies have shown that rhinoplasty may routinely improve respiratory function and does not necessarily have deleterious effects on nasal airway.²²

In conclusion, the ability to alter the physical structure of the nose has notable potential for changing a patient's nasal airflow. Care must be taken to consider the dynamics of the nasal airway and preserve its function.

Multimedia

(Enlarge Image)

Media file 1: (A) Laminar nasal airflow at a low inspiratory flow rate. (B) Turbulent nasal airflow at a higher inspiratory flow rate. Illustration by William E. Walsh, CMI; Northwestern University medical student and certified medical illustrator.

(Enlarge Image)

Media file 2: Anterior rhinomanometry. Illustration by William E. Walsh, CMI; Northwestern University medical student and certified medical illustrator.

(Enlarge Image)

Media file 3: Postnasal rhinomanometry. Illustration by William E. Walsh, CMI; Northwestern University medical student and certified medical illustrator.

(Enlarge Image)

Media file 4: Posterior rhinomanometry. Illustration by William E. Walsh, CMI; Northwestern University medical student and certified medical illustrator.

Keywords

nasal aerodynamics, airflow, nasal physiology, rhinomanometry, nasal obstruction, rhinoplasty, paired nasal bones, nasal valve, ciliary flow, olfactory system, infective rhinitis, allergic rhinitis, vasomotor rhinitis, hyperventilation

• Search for CME/CE on This Topic »