Nasal airflow: resistance and sensation.

For many years nasal resistance to airflow measured by rhinomanometry has been regarded as the objective measure of nasal patency. However, recently it has become apparent that this may not be the case. The present study was designed to affirm or refute this view by using large numbers of subjects and observations. Five hundred estimations of (objective) nasal resistance to airflow and (subjective) nasal sensation of airflow where carried out. No correlation could be demonstrated between these two parameters. It is concluded nasal resistance to airflow and nasal sensation of airflow are two separate modalities which are not directly related. The possible reasons for this finding are discussed with reference to previous work on nasal sensation.