The upper airway is a complicated structure that is usually widely patent during inspiration. However, on inspiration during certain physiological and pathophysiological states, the nares, pharynx, and larynx may collapse. Collapse at these locations occurs when the transmural pressure (Ptm) at a flow-limiting site (FLS) falls below a critical level (Ptm'). On airway collapse, inspiratory airfl...

BACKGROUND Fencers often complain of progressive difficulty in breathing during matches, which is generally attributed to restricted air, light and heat circulation from wearing a mask. Physiologically, the nasal structure generates airflow resistance that can reach -50% of the total respiratory resistance. OBJECTIVES This study aims to investigate the presence of nasal obstruction in fencers...

“Empty nose” patients suffer from chronic nasal crusting, dryness, and intermittent bleeding. The most distinctive symptom of ENS is “paradoxical obstruction”in that the patient suffers from difficulty breathing despite a widely patent nasal airway (Sozansky & Houser, 2014). ENS patients describe their feeling of nasal obstruction as constant and continuous: feeling of suffocation, inability or...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE When house dust mite (HDM), a common allergen, comes into the mucosal membrane, it may stimulate innate immunity. However, the precise role of interleukin- (IL-) 25 in the development of HDM-induced nasal allergic inflammation is still unclear. Therefore, we investigated the role of IL-25 in allergic rhinitis (AR) patients sensitized to HDM. METHODS To confirm the produ...

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis may quantify the severity of anatomical airway restriction in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) better than anatomical measurements alone. However, optimal CFD model endpoints to characterize or assess OSAS have not been determined. To model upper airway fluid dynamics using CFD and investigate the strength of correlation between various CFD end...

Physiological changes during late phase nasal responses after allergen challenge are difficult to establish and different criteria are used for the definition of a positive late phase nasal reaction. The objective of this study was to assess the value of whole body plethysmography in detecting changes in nasal airway resistance after allergen challenge and to suggest criteria for the definition...

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of quantitatively determined breathing patterns on dentofacial development in growing children. Forty-nine subjects ranging in age from 10 to 16 years participated in the breathing pattern assessment portion of this project. Oral, nasal, and total airflow were measured at separate times by means of a head-out body plethysmograph technique and ...

Septal deviation constitutes an important component of both esthetic deformity and airway compromise in patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP). The posterior parts of the nasal septum presented greater deviation than the anterior parts in patients with complete unilateral CLP. Le Fort I down-fracture provides better access to the nasal septum than intranasal incision during rhinoplasty, espec...