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Because of the dense innervation of arteries and subendothelial venous muscular bolsters we conclude that the swelling mechanism of human nasal mucosa is mainly regulated by these structures. A dual (endothelial and neuronal) control exists in arterioles whereas the control in the subendothelial muscular swellings of the cushion veins appears to be mainly neuronal. The swelling of the nasal mucosa is achieved by an simultaneous relaxation of all smooth muscle cells, which leads to dilatation of arteries as well as venous sinuses. The drainage of the vascular bed is reduced by the venous muscular bolsters protruding into the lumen of the venous sinuses. Vice versa, a contraction of all smooth muscle cells leads to a contraction of the arteries and, consecutively, to a reduction of blood supply. Simultaneously the muscular bolsters are torn out of the lumen of venous sinusoids allowing blood drainage to be increased: nasal concha decongests.

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