Rudolph's Red Nose

Rudolph, Santa's lead reindeer, has a red nose. But why? Finally, investigators have forensic tools to answer this age-old question.

New, hand-held, intravital video microscopes allow direct visualization of blood vessels. These authors compared the functional morphology of nasal microcirculation in humans and in reindeer to test the hypothesis that Rudolph's luminous red nose is caused by a highly dense and rich nasal microcirculature.

High-quality images were captured of the nasal septum and inferior turbinate of two adult reindeer subjects and five human controls. Mean perfused vessel density in humans was 15 mm/mm². Reindeer nasal mucosa had abundant microcirculation, with a mean perfused density of 20 mm/mm². The flow index was similar in reindeers and humans. Reindeer blood was pumped in pulses; no blood cells were seen in the vascular lumens during diastole. The in…

Reviewing Author

Mark V. Dahl, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Ulthera, Inc.; AuBio LifeSciences, LLC; Paris Therapeutics

Equity Elorac, Inc.; Makucell, Inc.; Paris Therapeutics

Editorial boards UpToDate

Leadership positions in professional societiesNational Rosacea Society (Chairman, Medical Board)

Mark V. Dahl, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Ulthera, Inc.; AuBio LifeSciences, LLC; Paris Therapeutics

Equity Elorac, Inc.; Makucell, Inc.; Paris Therapeutics

Editorial boards UpToDate

Leadership positions in professional societiesNational Rosacea Society (Chairman, Medical Board)