Oxygen tension and surface temperature of the endonasal tissues in the goat. Preliminary report

Abstract

Measurement of the PO2 in the mucosal cells and at various depths of the lamina propria lining the nasal cavity in five male goats using Silver's special microelectrodes, revealed relative hypoxia in the anterodorsal part of the nasal septum and tips of naso- and maxilloturbinals. In these sites PO2 values varied between 55-65 at the surface and 30-35 in the superficial subepithlial layer while elsewhere in the nose, lip and tongue, PO2 values of 85-90 were obtained. Temperature measurements with the thermistor in two goats yielded readings of 34-34-5 degrees C. in the hypoxic areas against 36-37 degrees C. in the posterior parts, the roof and floor of the nasal cavity. However, the oxygen tension diminished steadily in all areas as the microneedle electrode approached the chondro-osteal tissues but PO2 values of 0-10 in the perichondrium. The significance of these findings in the predilective localization of granulomata and various forms of vasculitis in the anterior endonasal tissues has been discussed.