Topographical differences in the trigeminal sensitivity of the human nasal mucosa.

The aim of the study was to investigate differences in the distribution of intranasal trigeminal receptors in humans using an electrophysiological measure of trigeminally induced activation, the negative mucosa potential. A total of 29 young, healthy volunteers participated, results were on the basis of data from 18 participants. The trigeminal irritant CO2 was presented using a computer-controlled olfactometer. Negative mucosa potential recording sites included the anterior olfactory cleft, the anterior septum, and the lower turbinate. Lowest amplitudes of the negative mucosa potential were found in the olfactory cleft, maximum amplitudes at the septum. Intranasal measurements of CO2 concentrations suggested that these differences were not due to the intranasal distribution of CO2. These results are compatible with the idea that the trigeminal system acts as a sentinel of the human airways.