I'm glad to see this thread rambling on so nicely.
ENGAGE SUPER NERD MODE WHERE I CAN'T TELL WHEN PEOPLE ARE JOKING ABOUT STUFF!!!
Oh the nostril is also defined as openings to let air into your lungs
Hahahahahahaa oh man, where do I begin...ENT is not my strong point but I
can tell you this much...
nostril
n.syn. naris- anterior opening to the nasal cavity.
-Stedmans Medical Dictionary 5th Edition
So technically, DDX, nostrils can't be just anywhere on the face- they all have to somehow communicate with the nasopharynx :P
Also:
If Blaze had an extra nostril, most likely he'd be much physically fitter as he would be able to intake more oxygen and so his aerobic performance would increase.
To be completely honest, I think it'd stuff up Blaze's performance. The anatomy of the nasopharynx is such that it both filters and streamlines airflow to optimise the balance between turbulent and planar flow (which you'd know all about, Firefly!) This, as you can imagine, requires both size and the appropriate geometry (which, in this case, consists of three "shelves" known as
concha that define your maxillary sinuses, which in themselves throw up a whole lot of other factors such as pressure equialisation through the Eustachian tube (again something you'd probably know more about than I, Firefly!!!)...anyway, long story short if you stick a third nostril in there in all likelihood it'll require either a compromise in the diameter of at least one of the nostrils or the placement of the concha or the internasal septum which would in fact reduce airflow as opposed to increase it...
...the other thing I want to mention is that air rushing over the mucosa is actually quite irritating, so your nostrils have this nifty tidal mechanism in which the septum actually waxes and wanes, such that the proportional airflow through each nostril changes on an hourly basis! Think about it, I'm pretty sure you can sense it!
What would having three nostrils do to this intricate balance!?!?!?!?
lol
sorry. I get like this when exams near.
In other news, my favorite nostrils in the world are those of peregrine falcons. Now
those are aerodynamic! And sexy. Or something. I totally didn't say that last bit.