The Role of Normal Nasal Morphological Variations from Race and Gender
Differences on Respiratory Physiology
Abstract
Objectives: To identify anatomical and airflow-induced relationships
based on nasal morphological variations due to inter- and intra-racial
differences and gender. Design: Subject-specific reconstruction of the
nasal airway anatomy was created from computed tomography images in 16
subjects: 4 subjects from each ethnic group (Black, East Asian,
Caucasian, and Latino) comprising of 2 males and 2 females. Volume,
surface area, nasal index, airflow rate, and nasal resistance were
measured to determine the role of normal nasal morphological variations
due to race and gender differences on these variables. Results:
Bilateral nasal airspace surface area (p=0.0499) and volume (p=0.0281)
were significantly greater in male subjects than in females. Median
(Interquartile Range; IQR) surface area was 218.83cm² (IQR=29.42 cm²)
for males and 190.08cm² (IQR=19.77cm²) for females, and 20.88cm³
(IQR=3.72 cm³) versus 18.02cm³ (IQR=3.06cm³) for males and female’s
nasal volumes, respectively. Nasal volume was greatest in East Asians
(Median=20.38cm3, IQR=4.58cm3), while Latinos had the greatest surface
area (Median=219.70cm2, IQR=29.56cm2). East Asian and Black females had
a larger average nasal index than their male counterparts, while Latino
and Caucasian males had a larger average nasal index than their female
counterparts. Caucasians had the highest median pressure at 12.55Pa
(IQR=6.19Pa) and highest median nasal resistance at 0.050Pa.s/ml
(IQR=0.025Pa.s/ml), while East Asians had the lowest for both variables.
Conclusions: Our findings indicate that there exist anatomical
variabilities based on race and gender. However, these variabilities may
not significantly influence nasal respiratory functions.