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

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 43 of the 43 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

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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Citations

Cites

Research works printed but not linked: 11

  1. Cole P, 1982, The nose: upper airway physiology and the atmospheric environment, 351
  2. Cole P, 1982, The nose: upper airway physiology and the atmospheric environment, 162
  3. Davies A, 1932, A resurvey of the nose in relation to climate, J R Anthropol Inst, 62, 337
  4. Franciscus RG, 2003, Comparing internal nasal fossa dimensions and classical measures of the external nasal skeleton in recent humans: inferences for respiratory airflow dynamics and climatic adaptation, Am J Phys Anthropol Suppl, 36, 96
  5. Scott JH, 1953, The comparative anatomy and function of the maxillary turbinate, J Anat, 87, 461
  6. Seeley LE, 1940, Temperature and water vapour content of respired air in the nasal cavity, Heat Piping Air Cond, 12, 377
  7. Sokal RR, 1995, Biometry
  8. Spoor F, 2000, Development, growth, and evolution: implications for the study of the hominid skeleton, 123
  9. Swift DL, 1977, Respiratory defense mechanisms, part I, 63
  10. van Dishoeck HAE, 1965, The part of the valve and turbinates in total nasal resistance, Rhinology, 3, 19
  11. Yokley TR, 2005, Variation in nasal passage surface‐area‐to‐volume ratios of recent and fossil humans, PaleoAnthropology, 12

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Metadata

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
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics › Morphological variations and asymmetry
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Archeology (arts and humanities) › 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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