Nasal cycle: approach to the problem

The nasal cycle is an important and currently poorly understood phenomenon. Understanding of its true role in the physiology of nasal breathing is still being clarified. Objective. To analyze and systematize data from English and Russian-language literature devoted to historical and current aspects of the nasal cycle study in the physiology of the nose and the body as a whole. Material and methods. A literature analysis concerning the issues of the nasal cycle study using PubMed, ScienceDirect, eLIBRARY.RU online information resources and printed publications of the Russian National Library, Saint Petersburg Research Institute of Ear, Throat, Nose and Speech was carried out for the period from 1895 to 2024. Results. It is shown that during analyzed period scientists made attempts to study the nasal cycle and examine its influence on organs and systems using various diagnostic methods. Morphological examinations of the nasal mucosa allowed to reveal the anatomical basis for the formation of this phenomenon, and a number of observations demonstrated the key influence of the autonomic nervous system on the regulation of the cavernous vessels tone and on the connection between the nasal cycle and physiological phenomena in the body as a whole. The study of dynamic changes in the nasal patency remains a relevant issue in otorhinolaryngology. To this date, long-term rhinoflowmetry and computational fluid dynamics are promising methods for studying the nasal cycle. Conclusion. Current knowledge on the nasal cycle suggests its multifaceted role in nasal physiology, which requires further research using modern technologies.