loading page

The Role of Normal Nasal Morphological Variations from Race and Gender Differences on Respiratory Physiology
  • Reanna Shah,
  • Dennis O. Frank-Ito
Reanna Shah
Duke University School of Medicine

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

Author Profile
Dennis O. Frank-Ito
Duke University School of Medicine
Author Profile

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.