Objective: To create a model from an adult cadaver's nasal cavity and verify whether it can be used to study the airflow dynamics in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses.
Methods: (1) The model was made by the material of transparent resin and Bengal gelatin according to a nasal cast of a cadaver. (2) The model was check by Acoustic Rhino-meter, CT scan and nasal endoscope, then compared with the normal. (3) To observe the smoke flow in the model and record it by a digital camera
Results: It was succeeded in creating a model of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinus. The model was good at simulation and transparency. The structure of the model, the cross-sectional areas of the nasal passage and the CT scan results of the model were similar to the normal. The airflows in the model could be recorded by a digital camera. It showed that there were two types of airflows in the nose. The majority of airflows were found in the common and middle nasal meatus, the little part of the airflows passed through the upper of the nose like a parabola. There was an increasing proportion of airflows in the olfactory region when elevated the airflow rates. A relatively large vortex formed in the upper part of the nose, just behind the nasal valve, and another one was in the pharynx nasals.
Conclusions: (1) The transparent resin and Bengal gelatin are suitable for making the model of the nose. The model can be used to study the airflows dynamics of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. (2) The majority of inspired airflows go straightly to the pharynx nasals through the combined middle and inferior airways, a little part of inspired airflows through the olfactory region like a parabola. (3) The inspired airflows first arrived at the front position of the middle and inferior turbinate. The airflows can go into the maxillary sinus, a vortex can be see in the maxillary sinus during breath.