Reactions of the Nasal Cavity and Postnasal Space to Chilling of the Body Surface

Abstract

Chilling of the body surface has been shown in earlier communications 1, ~ to cause reflex vasoconstriction and ischemia in the mucous membranes of the palate, palatine tonsils, and pharynx. The present study demonstrates a like reflex diminution in the blood supply of the nasal cavity and postnasal space (nasopharynx).In the postnasal space the reaction is closely similar to that previously described for the oropharynx; with chilling of the body surface the temperature of the nasopharyngeal mucosa has fallen typically between 1 ° and 2°C.; on rewrapping the subject, mucosa temperature rises, indicating return toward normal of the blood supply, but, typically, under the conditions of our experiments, recovery is not quite complete even after an interval at least as long as ½ hour after wrapping.In the nasal cavity the reactions are qualitatively similar but quantitatively much more striking; with cutaneous chilling the temperature depression of the nasal mucosa surface has been found in some instances to be more than 6°C. With rewarming, recovery has always been sharp, usually stopping somewhat below control level, but sometimes rising above it in this region notorious for its erratic variations in vasomotor state.

Nasal Ciliated Epithelium, with Special Reference to Infection and Treatment

“…In our opinion sudden local drying, usually in the nasopharynx, is one of the most important factors in the onset of the common cold. A healthy nose suddenly comes under the influence of a vasomotor disturbance reflected from some remote point; the chilling of the body surface, 11 constipation, hunger or fatigue. After a very transient ischsemia, the turbinated bodies swell.…”

Exposure to cold and acute upper respiratory tract infection

“…It is well established that chilling of the body surface will cause a pronounced vasoconstriction of blood vessels in the nose and upper airway. Mudd et al (65) reported that chilling of the body surface in human volunteers caused a pronounced ischaemia of the nasal mucosal surface that was measured as a fall in temperature via a nasal thermistor. In some subjects the depression of nasal mucosal temperature was more than 6 o C. Spiesman (66) demonstrated that cold stimuli such as cold air or ice filled cups, applied to the exposed areas of the body such as the back and feet, caused a pronounced decrease in the temperature of the nasal mucous membrane which was interpreted as being due to nasal vasoconstriction.…”

The airway vasculature

“…The nasal mucosa thickens and nasal airflow resistance increases on inhalation of irritant gases and many inflammatory mediators (Cole, 1982(Cole, , 1988, the mechanism probably being a combined vascular congestion with oedema and possibly some exudate. Inhaling cold air increases nasal airflow resistance (Cole, 1988) and reduces blood flow (Mudd, Goldman & Grant, 1921;Ralston & Kerr, 1945); the effect of warm air on airflow resistance is less certain. These results are consistent with a role of the capacitance system in airconditioning and filtration.…”