Assessing hydrodynamic resistance coefficient within energetic model of the human upper respiratory tract

The article describes a model of energy transfer in human upper respiratory tract, for which we estimate the hydrodynamic drag coefficient. The internal cavity of the nose represents a system of series- and parallel- connected channels. While modeling, we assumed the following points: (1) separation of central flow of inhaled air (hereinafter referred to as a stream filament) into four streams within nasal vestibule; (2) central distribution of stream filaments into communis, superior, medius, and inferior nasal meatus; (3) merging of the stream filaments into one in the choanae; (4) repetition of the pattern of redistribution of stream filaments under the reverse movement of air from choanae to the nasal vestibule. During the modeling of air flows inside the full-scale model of the nose the air flow velocity rate, which is necessary to calculate hydrodynamic drag coefficient, was determined for different parts of the nasal cavities, namely - nasal vestibule, choanae, superior, medius, inferior and communis nasal meatus...