Meeting Abstract
148.4 Monday, Jan. 7 Comparative Anatomy and Functional Morphology of the Mammalian Nasal Cavity RICHTER, J.P.*; RUMPLE, C.R.; QUIGLEY, A.P.; RANSLOW, A.N.; NEUBERGER, T.; RYAN, T.M.; STECKO, T.D.; PANG, B.; VAN VALKENBURGH, B.; CRAVEN, B.A.; Penn State University; Penn State University; Penn State University; Penn State University; Penn State University; Penn State University; Penn State University; University of California, Los Angeles; University of California, Los Angeles; Penn State University jpr244@psu.edu
The mammalian nasal cavity is a complex anatomical structure, having many functional roles. The convoluted nasal airway labyrinth provides a tortuous airflow path and a large surface area for respiratory air conditioning, filtering of inspired contaminants, and olfaction. Due to the small and contorted structure of the nasal turbinals (or turbinates), the anatomy and function of the nasal cavity remains poorly understood in most mammals. However, recent advances in medical imaging, image processing methods, and three-dimensional anatomical reconstruction techniques are now permitting comparative studies of nasal anatomy and function across species. In this study, we present high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans of the nasal cavity in different mammalian species that include terrestrial and semi-aquatic carnivorans (coyote, bobcat, sea otter), ungulates (white-tailed deer), and rodents (gray squirrel). Using these data we compare the nasal anatomy, based on the MRI and CT scans and three-dimensional anatomical reconstructions. The functional implications regarding respiration and olfaction are then presented, based on non-dimensional analyses that incorporate airway morphometry data (e.g., airway diameter, perimeter, cross-sectional area, surface area, volume) extracted from the anatomical reconstructions. These analyses are used to quantitatively assess and predict functional nasal airway performance. Supported by NSF grants IOS-1120375 (to BAC), NSF IOB-0517748 (to BVV), and NSF IOS-1119768 (to BVV).
