Gender Differences in Nasal Anatomy and Function Among Caucasians.

Background

Anatomical variations influence nasal physiology, yet sex differences in physiology remains unclear.

Objective

To investigate sex differences among Caucasians using computational fluid dynamics.

Methods

Adult subjects were selected with normal nasal cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images and Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation scores ≤30. The CBCT images were used to create subject-specific airway models. Nasal surface area (SA) and volume were computed, and airflow and heat transfer were simulated.

Results

The CBCT scans were taken from 23 females and 12 males. The SA and volume (males: mean = 25.0 cm3; females: mean = 19.5 cm3; p < 0.001; Cohen's d = 1.51) were significantly larger for males, but SA-to-volume ratio did not differ significantly. Although unilateral nasal resistance did not vary greatly, females had higher bilateral resistance (males: mean = 0.04 Pa.s/mL; females: mean = 0.05 Pa.s/mL; p = 0.044; Cohen's d = 0.37). Females had higher heat flux (males: mean = 158.5 W/m2; females: mean = 191.8 W/m2; p = 0.012; Cohen's d = 0.79), but males had larger SA where mucosal heat flux exceeds 50 W/m2.

Conclusions

These findings suggest differences in normal nasal anatomy and physiology between Caucasian males and females, which may be useful when assessing sex-specific functional outcomes after nasal surgery.