ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE In order to explore the site of the nasal valve.METHODS The distribution of nasal airway resistance were studied in normal adults, and patients with chronic rhinitis,patients underwent partial inferior turbinectomy,patients with the deviation of nasal septum and the patients underwent correction of the nasal septum.RESULTS Before the nasal mucosa decongested,the site of the most effect on the NAR was located in pyriform fossa in normal adults. After the nasal mucosa decongested,the site of the most effect on the NAR was located in the ostium internum.The most significantly site which effect on the NAR were pyriform fossa and the ostium internum before and after operation in the patients who suffer from chronic rhinitis.The site of the most effect on the NAR was in the place of deviation of the nasal septum before operation and in the pyriform fossa after operation.CONCLUTION The result suggested that the site of the nasal valve is changeable and related to the condition of contraction and relaxation of the nasal mucosa and the extent of nasal patency.