Nasal airflow receptors: the relative importance of temperature and tactile stimulation

Abstract

The receptors responsible for the nasal sensation of airflow have not been identified with certainty. Although both mechanoreceptors and thermoreceptors have been implicated, evidence suggests that the nose is more sensitive to cold air than to air at body temperature. The present study was designed to investigate the relationship between the velocity and the temperature of an airjet as regards its ability to stimulate the nasal lining. Both the nasal vestibule and the nasal cavum are more sensitive to cold air than to air at mean intranasal temperature (P < 0.001). A similar effect is seen with warm air which is as stimulating as cold air. The nasal vestibule is twice as sensitive as the nasal cavum to an airjet at mean intranasal temperature (P < 0.001). It is concluded that the nasal vestible is very sensitive to the tactile stimulation of an airjet. This effect is highly temperature dependent being much more pronounced for air temperatures above or below the mean intranasal temperature. The temperature effect is relatively more important in the nasal cavum which is very much less sensitive to stimulation than the vestibule.