The influence of vegetative stimuli on the human nasal mucous membrane

Measuring probes were inserted into the inferior nasal meatus in humans to record the effects of certain defined vegetative stimuli on the cavernous state and the temperature of the mucous membrane. An unilateral carotis compression induces a bilateral reactivity of the mucous membrane in the sense of a sympathicus stimulus. An unilateral bulbus pressure causes a bilateral reaction of the mucous membrane opposite to that of carotis compression. Blocking of the stellate ganglion produces a tonus reduction of the nervus sympathicus as was also found in animal experiments by other authors. Trigeminus stimulation induces a swelling of the nasal mucous membrane, whereas a voluntary breathing stop causes decongestion. Facial blushing, the only undefined and involuntary stimulus, is followed by an unswelling and a decrease of mucous membrane temperature. The results of our investigations are in agreement with analogous animal experiments. This is not surprising as man has a vegetative nervous system which is essentially unchanged from the beginning of evolutionary development. Only blushing is an expression of a reaction behaviour characteristic of human beings only.