[Reconstruction of three-dimensional numerical model and numerical simulation of airflow in a human upper airway].

Purpose: To rapidly reconstruct a three-dimensional numerical model of the human upper airway and investigate the relationship between anatomical structures with airflow distribution by using the computational fluid dynamics.
Methods: A three-dimensional model of the human upper airway was reconstructed based on computed tomographic images of a healthy volunteer's skull. Numerical simulation of the upper airway airflow was performed by using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method.
Results: A three-dimensional model of the human upper airway including nasal cavity, pharynx and larynx was reconstructed rapidly. A detailed anatomical structure and velocity distribution characteristics of airflow was obtained and a large velocity gradient in nasal valve area, nasopharynx, up and downstream of epiglottis was found.
Conclusions: The model has good simulation of upper airway. Numerical simulation results provide the basic trend of airflow of the upper respiratory tract.The numerical model meets the needs of computational fluid dynamics analysis, and provide data control and research foundation for pathologic upper airway airflow numerical simulation.