Application of Computational Fluid Dynamics to Simulate a Steady Airflow in all Regions of Chimpanzee's Nasal Cavity

摘要

Knowing the detailed responses associated with the environment of our closest living relative allows us to comprehend more data about apes which may be useful to conclude hypotheses regarding the behavior of early hominins. The difference between humans and apes toward the adaptability to the living environment is caused by the difference among both bodies' biological functions such as the nasal cavity biological function. Indeed, the temperature and the humidity of the inhaled air are adjusted by the heat and the water exchange in the nasal cavity wall's surface. In order to understand the nasal cavity functions for the adjustment of the temperature and the humidity of the inhaled air, it is necessary to know the flow distribution during breathing process. To do so, a noninvasive measurement is hard to be held. Therefore, this study simulates a laminar steady airflow, in a realistic adult male chimpanzee's nasal cavity shape reconstructed from Computed Tomography (CT) images, using CFD. So far, an airflow study related to chimpanzee's nasal cavity has not been previously reported. We present for the first time a computer simulation of a realistic chimpanzee's nasal cavity flow. This study uses a model with heat and humidity transport. The governing equations include a continuum equation and the equations describing momentum, energy, and water transport. The findings are in agreement with the expected results directly inferred from the biological function of the nasal cavity itself.