Anatomy of the nasal cavity determines intranasal trigeminal sensitivity

作者：Konstantinidis Iordanis; Gartz Inga; Gerber Johannes C; Reden Jens; Hummel Thomas^*

来源：Rhinology, 2010, 48(1): 18-22.

DOI：10.4193/Rhin09.060

• trigeminal
• nasal anatomy
• event-related potentials
• smell
• olfaction

Background: Aim of this study was to investigate whether intranasal anatomy plays a role in intranasal trigeminal sensitivity.
Material and Methods: A total of 65 healthy subjects (30 female, 35 male) participated in this study (age range 18-35 years). Nasal cavities were assessed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The area of the nasal cavity was measured in 5 coronal sections distributed across the length of the nasal cavity. Trigeminal function was assessed by determining thresholds for CO(2), and responses to suprathreshold stimulation with CO(2) and menthol (intensity ratings; event-related potentials). In addition, rhino-manometric measures were obtained.
Results: A positive correlation was found between the size of the nasal cavity and trigeminal event-related potentials in response to suprathreshold CO(2) and menthol stimuli. By contrast, no such correlations were found between nasal cavity size and CO(2) thresholds. Results from rhino-manometry correlated only with the size of the nasal cavity in the nasal valve area.
Conclusions: These data suggest that, at least at a suprathreshold level, nasal anatomy plays a significant role in determining interindividual differences in the sensitivity to trigeminal stimuli.

• 出版日期2010-3