Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 7, 2025

Modeling and Simulations of Olfactory Drug Delivery with Passive and Active Controls of Nasally Inhaled Pharmaceutical Aerosols
Published on: May 20, 2016
The Effect of the Nasal Structure on the Olfactory Cleft Airflow: A Systematic Review
Lina Chen1,2, Yuxing Liu1,2, Dawei Wu1
1Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
Objective:
Conductive olfactory losses mainly involve obstruction of the olfactory cleft (OC) and diminished OC airflow. This study investigated the association between abnormal nasal structure and OC airflow.
Methods:
A systematic search was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis to identify studies on the effect of the nasal structure on the OC airflow and olfaction.
Results:
A total of 11 studies were included. Nasal vestibule morphological variabilities directly impact the transport of molecules in odorant-laden air to the OC. A greater airflow vortex and a narrower vestibule region intensified the airflow vortex toward the olfactory region. Middle turbinectomy significantly increased the average flux to the OC. The location of the major airflow and airflow velocity maxima shifted towards the OC in patients with septal deviation. The airflow has been redirected into the upper part of the nasal airway in patients with inferior turbinate hypertrophy. For patients with unilateral cleft lip, unilateral nasal airflow on the cleft side has a lower rate and flow. The mean velocity in the posterior OC correlated well with olfaction compared to that in the anterior OC. The nasal polyps (NP) within the middle meatus increased the olfactory airflow but did not enhance the olfaction. NP in the olfactory region or anterior to the olfactory region significantly decreased the olfactory airflow and olfaction. Furthermore, obstruction of the OC did not change the nasal patency. When the OC shape presented with a stenotic slit or lumen structure among patients with conductive olfactory dysfunction without NP, the inspiratory velocity and flow rate within OC were significantly lower than in the healthy control group.
Conclusion:
Various nasal structural factors affect patterns of OC airflow and olfaction. Identifying the related airflow-limiting structures may promote the comprehensive evaluation of conductive olfactory losses in patients with olfactory dysfunction.
More Related Videos
15:40An Effective Manual Deboning Method To Prepare Intact Mouse Nasal Tissue With Preserved Anatomical Organization
Published on: August 10, 2013
10:42A Lateralized Odor Learning Model in Neonatal Rats for Dissecting Neural Circuitry Underpinning Memory Formation
Published on: August 18, 2014
Related Concept Videos
Nose and Nasal Cavity
Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure
Anatomy of Respiratory System I: Upper Respiratory Tract
Nose and nasal cavity
The nose and nasal cavity represent the main external openings of the respiratory tract....
Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway
The olfactory...
Olfaction
The olfactory receptors are embedded in the cilia of the...
Cranial Bones: Lateral View
The temporal bone forms the lower lateral side of the skull. The temporal bone is subdivided into several regions. The flattened upper portion is the squamous portion of the temporal bone. Below this area and projecting anteriorly is the zygomatic process of the temporal bone, which forms the posterior portion of the zygomatic arch. Posteriorly is the mastoid portion of the temporal bone. Projecting...