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Tracking Nasal Diversity in Multi‐Regional Populations: Insights into the Adaptive Significance of the Upper Respiratory System
Author(s) -
Qureshi Naema,
Gan Patrick J,
Obourn Chelsea,
Márquez Samuel
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.23.1_supplement.823.1
Subject(s) - paranasal sinuses , nose , respiratory system , population , respiratory tract , biology , nasal cavity , diversity (politics) , anatomy , medicine , pathology , environmental health , sociology , anthropology
The nasal complex (nose and paranasal sinuses) contributes a critical role in respiration by treatment of inspiratory air at the gates of the upper respiratory tract before the proper exchange of gases can take place in the alveolar region. Key components of this complex, the maxillary sinuses (MS), are implicated in a role for air conditioning of inspired air (Gannon et al, 1997). Differences in skeletal and soft tissue anatomy of the nasal region have been shown to be distinct but none have factored in a morphometric approach. This study included four human population groups from Africa, Asia, Europe and North America. We measured internal and external nasal parameters (ENP) including piriform dimensions, MS and endocranial volumes. Results showed: 1) piriform aperture area (PAA) variable did not have the power to discern populations; 2) MS volumes determined significant differences between groups living in cold and hot climatic conditions (p < 0.05) but did not strongly discern populations; 3) external linear nasal measures displayed a strong parametric value for discriminating between groups; and 4) integration of MS volume and PAA with ENP was the strongest variable suite to distinguish population groups. Our results suggest that the variables we employed may be an integrated functional suite of characters that reflects adaptations of the nasal complex during migrations across a wide range of climatic conditions. Grant Funding Source NA