The site and function of the nasal valve

Abstract

Previous observers have suggested that the main site of respiratory airflow resistance is localized to the vestibular region of the nose. This resistive segment of the airway was investigated using a "head-out" body plethysmograph in subjects with anatomically normal noses (a) untreated, (b) congested and (c) decongested. In all three conditions, 2/3 of the total nasal airflow resistance was found within the bony cavum in the vicinity of the pyriform aperture and about 1/3 in the cartilaginous vestibule. As might be expected, caval resistance changed proportionately with the degree of mucosal congestion; but, more surprisingly, vestibular resistance changed similarly. This was due in part to the observed forward expansion of the anterior ends of the inferior turbinates with congestion. EMG recordings in subjects breathing through both nostrils demonstrated a gradation of inspiratory alar dilator muscle activity with increased minute ventilation and with mucosal congestion, and there was no evidence of inspiratory alar collapse. But with elevated ventilation through one nostril only, or when the alar muscles were paralyzed by lidocaine block of the VIIth nerve, alar collapse occurred. These findings are of importance in the management of the congested but anatomically normal nose and in surgery of the nasal tip.

Remodeling of living human nasal cavity under the assistance of acoustic rhinometry technique

“…The vestibule leads to the constricted nasal valve region, the posterior boundary of which is roughly presumed to be the anterior limit of the inferior turbinate [9]. The nasal valve, which has been conventionally defined as the site of narrowest cross-sectional area of the nasal passage posterior to the nostril opening, accounts for more than half of the total nasal resistance [10]. Here, we define the exact location and orientation of the nasal valve follow the tradition opinion [9,11] in referring broadly to the nasal valve region.…”

Válvula nasal: anatomia e fisiologia

“…With high nasal flow because of only one nostril being used or by paralysis of wing muscles after anesthetic block of the VII cranial nerve, there is SLC collapse 16 . Jones et al 3 studied the effect of local anesthesia with lidocaine in the nasal vestibule floor on the perception of nasal airflow and nasal resistance reported by the patient, and concluded that thermoreceptors placed in the nasal vestibule contribute to the perception of nasal patency.…”

“…Intranasal pressure seems to be more important than airflow to trigger the nerve signal to these muscles 30 . These muscles also have a stabilizing action due to the maintenance of nasal vestibule tonus that prevents its collapse 16 . The nasal vestibule has the shape of and acts as a tube joint, redirecting the air that comes from the front, below and the sides, thus creating a laminar flow 4 .…”

Internal Nasal Valve and Its Significance

“…Internal nasal valve (INV) is the narrowest area of a nasal cavity [1]. Any reduction in this already crowded area, will lead to appreciable effect on the inspiratory and expiratory currents.…”