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Cited by 105Nasal Surgery and Airway StudiesMorphological variations and asymmetryForensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies

Ecogeographic variation in human nasal passages

Yokley, Todd R.·2009·American Journal of Physical Anthropology
DOI 10.1002/ajpa.20893
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Abstract

Theoretically, individuals whose ancestors evolved in cold and/or dry climates should have greater nasal mucosal surface area relative to air volume of the nasal passages than individuals whose ancestors evolved in warm, humid climates. A high surface-area-to-volume (SA/V) ratio allows relatively more air to come in contact with the mucosa and facilitates more efficient heat and moisture exchange during inspiration and expiration, which would be adaptive in a cold, dry environment. Conversely, a low SA/V ratio is not as efficient at recapturing heat and moisture during expiration and allows for better heat dissipation, which would be adaptive in a warm, humid environment. To test this hypothesis, cross-sectional measurements of the nasal passages that reflect surface area and volume were collected from a sample of CT scans of patients of European and African ancestry. Results indicate that individuals of European descent do have higher SA/V ratios than individuals of African descent, but only when decongested. Otherwise, the two groups show little difference. This pattern of variation may be due to selection for different SA/V configurations during times of physical exertion, which has been shown to elicit decongestion. Relationships between linear measurements of the skeletal nasal aperture and cavity and cross-sectional dimensions were also examined. Contrary to predictions, the nasal index, the ratio of nasal breadth to nasal height, is not strongly correlated with internal dimensions. However, differences between the nasal indices of the two groups are highly significant. These results may be indicative of different adaptive solutions to the same problem.

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Crossref · 10.1002/ajpa.20893

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  • Prior studies have shown that nasal aperture and nasal cavity shapes are correlated with temperature and humidity, with individuals from cold-dry climates having narrower nasal cavities than individuals from warm-humid climates.

    “Previously, several studies have shown that the shapes of the nasal aperture and nasal cavity are correlated with climate variables related to temperature and humidity such that individuals from cold-dry climates exhibit narrower nasal cavities compared to individuals from warm-humid climates [41,42].”

    From Investigating the case of human nose shape and climate adaptation (2017) · cites this paper as [41]

  • Our findings provide support for the idea that differences in aspects of nose shape may have evolved across populations as a result of climate-related selection pressures.

    “While our findings provide support for the idea that differences in aspects of nose shape may have evolved across populations as a result of climate-related selection pressures, something that has been demonstrated previously using craniometric data [2,12,13,41,42]”

    From Investigating the case of human nose shape and climate adaptation (2017) · cites this paper as [41]

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Authors
Yokley, T. R.
Affiliations
Touro University Nevada (US)
Corresponding author
Yokley, Todd R.
Venue
American Journal of Physical Anthropology
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2008-07-11
Volume
138
Issue
1
Pages
11-22
ISSN
  • 0002-9483 (ISSN-L)
  • 1096-8644
DOI
10.1002/ajpa.20893
OpenAlex
W2080225265
Cited by
105
References
43
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 2
FWCI
3.16
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)
Locations
  • American Journal of Physical Anthropology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Nasal Surgery and Airway Studies
  • Physical Sciences › Mathematics › Geometry and Topology › Morphological variations and asymmetry
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Archeology › Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies
Keywords
nasal passages, nasal mucosa, surface-to-volume ratio, climate change adaptation, nasal index, nasal cavity dimensions, nasal aperture, nasal decongestion, physical exertion
MeSH terms
Inhalation, Ecology, Ethmoid Bone, Geography, Humans, Humidity, Nose, Tomography, X-Ray Computed, Turbinates, Black People, White People, Exhalation

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