Numerical simulation study on effects of ambient temperature on airflow in the nasal cavity

Abstract

To study the aerodynamics of the normal human nasal cavity under different ambient temperatures. Based on CT scanning, a model of a healthy adult's nasal cavity was established using computational fluid dynamics software from Fluent. Airflow in this model was simulated and calculated at ambient temperatures of 0 °C, 24 °C, and 37 °C during periodic breathing. Ambient temperature only had an impact on the temperature in the nasal cavity during the inspiratory phase, and the temperature distribution was not symmetrical in the inspiratory acceleration and deceleration phases. The ambient temperature significantly affected airflow speed in main nasal passages during the inspiratory process, but had little impact on flow status (proportion and streamline of airflow in different nasal passages). Temperature differences increased the irregular air movement within sinuses. The anterior nasal segment, including the area between the valve and the head of the middle turbinate, was the most effective part of the nasal airway in heating the ambient air. Our findings describe the effects of ambient temperature on airflow parameters in the nasal cavity within a single respiratory cycle. This data is more comprehensively and accurately to determine the relationship between nasal cavity aerodynamics and physiological functions.