Distribution and Clinical Significance of the Autonomic Nervous System in the Human Nasal Mucosa

Biopsied specimens from the human inferior concha were studied histochemically to elucidate the function of the cholinergic nerve fiber, adrenergic nerve fiber, and myoepithelial basket cell and capillary. There are rich cholinergic nerve fibers in the inferior concha. They terminate mainly in the nasal gland and the blood vessels. Lacking in adrenergic nerve fiber, the nasal gland is therefore cholinergic. When the cholinergic nerve is over-stimulated by triggers, such as allergic or other reactions, the nasal gland and vessel work as a functional unit and produce profuse nasal secretion. Studies on human specimens reveal that the greater superficial petrosal nerve, vidian nerve and sphenopalatine ganglion are cholinergic in nature. The anterior ethmoid nerve also contains abundant cholinergic fibers. The nerve fibers in the vidian nerve are mainly cholinergic. The rationale for vidian neurectomy for allergic rhinitis is discussed.