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Physiology of the nose and paranasal sinuses

  • Sinus Physiology and Disease
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Conclusions

A secretory mucosa and unobstructed mucociliary transport are essential to respiratory and olfactory functions of the nose, and to health of the nasal cavities and the paranasal sinuses. The ostiomeatal complex within the narrow cleft of the middle meatus is susceptible to obstructions of mucociliary flow from the sinuses. Mucosal swelling, polyps, and altered properties of secretion that result from common nasal disorders can impair mucociliary clearance, and sinus disease is a common consequence. Imaging studies have demonstrated that inflammatory nasal disease is frequently accompanied by sinusitis, and the converse has been verified in a large proportion of cases.

Nonlaminar characteristics of inspiratory air flow are induced by the constricted lumen of the nasal valve and entrained through the airways leading to the lungs. These characteristics are of essential physiological importance in that they promote cleansing and conditioning of ambient air, and thereby protect peripheral pulmonary air passages and their terminations from injury by ambient air. In addition, the human nose exhibits vestiges of a process of recovery of heat and water from expiratory air that is much more extensive and of survival value in animal species adapted to extreme environments. The paranasal sinuses do not make a significant contribution to the respiratory air processing that takes place in the nasal cavities.

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  1. The Gage Research Institute, 223 College Street, M5T 1R4, Toronto, Canada

    Philip Cole

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Several references in this list have been chosen for their own extensive reference lists which may be useful for readers who wish to refer to original work on which this chapter is based.

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Cole, P. Physiology of the nose and paranasal sinuses. Clinic Rev Allerg Immunol 16, 25–54 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02739327

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