Abstract
To determine growth and morphology of the nanal cavity, we measured the size of each portion of the nasal cavity using the X-ray tomographic films of a total of 1, 942 normal subjects consisting of 984 males and 958 females. The deta were analyzed statistically as follow.
1) Growth of height and width of the nasal cavity: In both males and females height and width of the nasal cavity grow till one reaches the age of about 14 years, but subsequently the growth rate slows down. From this finding it is considered that lateral wall of the nasal cavity as the outer frame is completed till the age of about 14 years.
2) Growth of width of ethmoidal sinuses: Width of the ethmoidal sinuses shows growth till the age of 16 years for males and the age of 17 years for females. As compared to the height and width of the nasal cavity completion of growth of width of ethmoidal sinuses delays.
3) Relation of width of the nasal cavity and width of the ethmoidal sinuses with height of the nasal cavity: Width and height of the nasal cavity grow with a certain ratio (66 to 70%) retained. On the other hand, the width of the ethmoidal sinuses show delay in growth as compared to height of the nasal cavity.
4) In majority of the cases, little or no difference is seen in width between left and right sides. When any difference was seen between both sides, the right side gave higher values. As to difference in width of the ethmoidal sinuses between right and left sides, the value of the left side was higher.
5) Relation of difference in width of the nasal cavity between right and left sides with septum deviation: There were many cases which showed greater width of the nasal cavity on of septum deviation. It could be shown that the lateral wall of the nasal cavity is caused by septum deviation.
6) Relation of difference in width of the ethmoidal sinuses between right and left with septum deviation: In many cases the value obtained for the left side was greater irrespective of septum deviation.
