| Nasal concha | |
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| Lateral wall of nasal cavity, showing ethmoid bone in position. The ethmoid bone (from Greek ethmos, "sieve" is a Bone in the Skull that separates the Nasal cavity from the Brain. (Superior and middle in pink, and inferior in blue. ) | |
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| Latin | conchae nasales |
| MeSH | Conchae+Nasales |
| Dorlands/Elsevier | t_23/12832600 |
In anatomy, a turbinate (or nasal concha) is a long, narrow and curled bone shelf (shaped like an elongated sea-shell) which protrudes into the breathing passage of the nose. Latin ( lingua Latīna, laˈtiːna is an Italic language, historically spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. Medical Subject Headings ( MeSH) is a huge Controlled vocabulary (or metadata system for the purpose of indexing journal articles and books Elsevier, the world's largest Publisher of Medical and Scientific literature, forms part of the Reed Elsevier group Anatomy (from the Greek anatomia, from ana separate apart from and temnein, to cut up cut open is a branch of Biology that is the consideration Anatomically a nose is a protuberance in Vertebrates that houses the Nostrils or nares which admit and expel air for respiration in conjunction with the Turbinate bone refers to any of the scrolled spongy bones of the nasal passages in humans and other vertebrates. Bones are rigid organs that form part of the Endoskeleton of Vertebrates They function to move support and protect the various organs of the body produce The nasal cavity (or nasal fossa) is a large air-filled space above and behind the nose in the middle of the face Human beings, humans or man (Origin 1590–1600 L homō man OL hemō the earthly one (see Humus Vertebrates are members of the Subphylum Vertebrata, Chordates with backbones or spinal columns The grouping sometimes includes [1]
In humans, the turbinates divide the nasal airway into three groove-like air passages –and are responsible for forcing inhaled air to flow in a steady, regular pattern around the largest possible surface of cilia and climate controlling tissue. A cilium (plural cilia) is an Organelle found in eukaryotic cells Cilia are tail-like projections extending approximately
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Structure and functions of turbinates
Turbinates are composed of pseudostratified columnar, ciliated respiratory epithelium with a thick, vascular and erectile glandular tissue layer. A pseudostratified epithelium is a type of Epithelium that though comprising only a single layer of cells, has its cell nuclei positioned in a manner Columnar epithelia are epithelial cells whose heights are at least four times their width A cilium (plural cilia) is an Organelle found in eukaryotic cells Cilia are tail-like projections extending approximately In biology and medicine epithelium is a tissue composed of cells that line the cavities and surfaces of structures throughout the body The blood vessels are part of the Circulatory system and function to transport Blood throughout the body A gland is an organ in an animal's body that synthesizes a substance for release such as Hormones or Breast milk, often into the Bloodstream [2] The turbinates are located laterally in the nasal cavities, curling medially and downwards into the nasal airway. Human anatomical terms make up a distinct nomenclature to describe areas of the body to provide orientation when describing parts of Human anatomy, and to Each pair is composed of one turbinate in either side of the nasal cavity, divided by the septum. The nasal septum separates the left and right airways in the Nose, dividing the two Nostrils. [2]
The inferior turbinates are the largest turbinates, and can be as long as the index finger, and are responsible for the majority of airflow direction, humidification, heating, and filtering of air inhaled through the nose. The inferior nasal concha ( Inferior Turbinated Bone) is one of the Turbinates in the Nose. The second Digit of a human Hand is also referred to as the index finger, pointer finger, forefinger, trigger finger, digitus [1]
The middle turbinates are smaller, usually as long as the little finger. The medial surface of the Labyrinth of ethmoid consists of a thin Lamella, which descends from the under surface of the Cribriform plate, and ends below in a free The little finger, often called the pinky in American English and pinkie in Scottish English (from the Dutch word pink They project downwards over the openings of the maxillary and ethmoid sinuses, and act as buffers to protect the sinuses from coming in direct contact with pressurized nasal airflow. The ethmoid bone (from Greek ethmos, "sieve" is a Bone in the Skull that separates the Nasal cavity from the Brain. Most inhaled airflow travels between the inferior turbinate and the middle turbinate. [1]
The superior turbinates are smaller structures, connected to the middle turbinates by nerve-endings, and serve to protect the olfactory bulb. The back part of the medial surface of the Labyrinth of ethmoid is subdivided by a narrow oblique fissure the Superior meatus of the nose bounded above by a thin curved plate The olfactory bulb is a structure of the Vertebrate Forebrain involved in Olfaction, the perception of Odors. [1]
Role of turbinates in the respiratory system
The turbinates compose most of the mucosal tissue of the nose and are required for functional respiration. The mucous membranes (or mucosae; singular mucosa) are linings of mostly endodermal origin covered in Epithelium, which are involved in Anatomically a nose is a protuberance in Vertebrates that houses the Nostrils or nares which admit and expel air for respiration in conjunction with the In living organisms a respiratory system functions to allow Gas exchange. The turbinates are enriched with airflow pressure and temperature sensing nerve receptors (linked to the “trigeminal” nerve route, the fifth cranial nerve), allowing for tremendous erectile capabilities of nasal congestion and decongestion (very much like the penis), in response to the climatic conditions and changing needs of the body. The trigeminal nerve (the fifth Cranial nerve, also called the fifth nerve or simply V) is responsible for sensation in the face The trigeminal nerve (the fifth Cranial nerve, also called the fifth nerve or simply V) is responsible for sensation in the face Nasal congestion is the blockage of the nasal passages usually due to membranes lining the nose becoming swollen from inflamed blood vessels The penis (plural penises, penes Climate encompasses the temperatures humidity rainfall atmospheric particle count and numerous other meteorogical factors in a given region over long periods of [2]
The turbinates are also responsible for filtration, heating and humidification of air inhaled through the nose. An air filter is a device which removes solid Particulates such as Dust, Pollen, Mold, and bacteria from Air. Of these three, filtration is the most important reason to breathe through the nose. As air passes over the turbinate tissues it is heated to body temperature, humidified (up to 98% water saturation) and filtered. The dew point (sometimes spelled dewpoint) is the Temperature to which a given parcel of Air must be cooled at constant Barometric pressure, [2]
Role of turbinates as an immunological defense
The respiratory epithelium which covers the erectile tissue (or Lamina propria) of the turbinates plays a major role in the body’s first line of immunological defense. In biology and medicine epithelium is a tissue composed of cells that line the cavities and surfaces of structures throughout the body The lamina propria is a constituent of the moist linings known as mucous membranes or Mucosa, which line various tubes in the body (such as the respiratory tract the gastrointestinal Immunology is a broad branch of biomedical Science that covers the study of all aspects of the Immune system in all Organisms It deals with The respiratory epithelium is partially composed of mucus producing goblet cells. In vertebrates mucus is a slippery secretion produced by and covering Mucous membranes It is a viscous Colloid containing Antiseptic enzymes (such as Goblet cells are Glandular simple columnar epithelial cells whose sole function is to secrete Mucus. This secreted mucus covers the nasal cavities, and serves as a filter, by trapping air-borne particles larger than 2 to 3 micrometers. A micrometre ( American spelling: micrometer; symbol µm) is one millionth of a Metre, or equivalently one thousandth of a Millimetre The respiratory epithelium also serves as a means of access for the lymphatic system which protects the body from being infected by viruses or bacteria. The lymphatic system in Vertebrates is a network of conduits that carry a clear fluid called Lymph. [1]
Role of turbinates in olfaction
The turbinates provide, first and foremost, the humidity needed to preserve the delicate olfactory (smell) epithelium needed to keep the olfactory receptors healthy and alert. In biology and medicine epithelium is a tissue composed of cells that line the cavities and surfaces of structures throughout the body If the epithelial layer gets dry or irritated, it may cease to function. This is usually a temporary condition, but over time, may lead to chronic anosmia[2]. Anosmia is the lack of Olfaction, or an absence of the ability to smell The turbinates also increase the surface area of the inside of the nose, and by directing and deflecting airflow across the maximum mucosal surface of the inner nose, they are able to propel the inspired air. Surface area is the measure of how much exposed Area an object has This, coupled with the humidity and filtration provided by the turbinates, helps to carry more scent molecules towards the higher, and very narrow regions of the nasal airways, where olfaction nerve receptors are located[1].
The superior turbinates literally hood-over, and protect the nerve axons piercing through the cribriform plate (a porous bone plate that separates the nose from the brain) into the nose. The cribriform plate of the Ethmoid bone ( horizontal lamina is received into the ethmoidal notch of the frontal bone and roofs in the nasal cavities. Some areas of the middle turbinates are also innervated by the olfactory bulb. A nerve is an enclosed cable-like bundle of peripheral Axons (the long slender projections of Neurons. All three turbinates are innervated by pain and temperature receptors, via the trigeminal nerve (or, the fifth cranial nerve)[2]. Pain, in the sense of physical pain, is a typical sensory experience that may be described as the unpleasant awareness of a noxious stimulus or bodily harm The trigeminal nerve (the fifth Cranial nerve, also called the fifth nerve or simply V) is responsible for sensation in the face Cranial nerves are Nerves that emerge directly from the Brain stem in contrast to Spinal nerves which emerge from segments of the Spinal cord. Research has shown that there is a strong connection between these nerve endings and activation of the olfactory receptors, but science has yet to fully explain this interaction.
Turbinate dysfunction
Large, swollen turbinates may lead to blockage of nasal breathing. Allergies, exposure to environmental irritants, or a persistent inflammation within the sinuses, can lead to turbinate swelling. Allergy is a disorder of the Immune system often also referred to as Atopy. Inflammation ( Latin, inflamatio, to set on fire is the complex biological response of vascular tissues to harmful stimuli such as Pathogens Deformity of the nasal septum can also result in enlarged turbinates. A septum ( Latin: something that encloses; plural Septa) is a partition separating two cavities or spaces [3]
Treatment of the underlying allergy or irritant may reduce turbinate swelling. In cases that do not resolve, or for treatment of deviated septum, turbinate reduction surgery may be required. A deviated septum is a common physical disorder of the Nose, involving a displacement of the Nasal septum. Generally, because the turbinates are essential for respiration, only small amounts of turbinate tissue are removed. Extensive reduction of the inferior or middle turbinates can cause empty nose syndrome. Empty nose syndrome (ENS is a medical term coined by Dr Kern and Dr [3]
See also
- Bone terminology
- Anatomical terms of location
- Superior nasal concha, middle nasal concha and inferior nasal concha
- Empty nose syndrome
Additional images
 Nasal conchae: Blocked/free |  Normal Nose CT Front cross section |  Coronal section of nasal cavities. Bones are rigid organs that form part of the Endoskeleton of Vertebrates They function to move support and protect the various organs of the body produce In fields of Anatomy, anatomical terms of location are descriptive terms to help identify relative positions or directions within a species The back part of the medial surface of the Labyrinth of ethmoid is subdivided by a narrow oblique fissure the Superior meatus of the nose bounded above by a thin curved plate The medial surface of the Labyrinth of ethmoid consists of a thin Lamella, which descends from the under surface of the Cribriform plate, and ends below in a free The inferior nasal concha ( Inferior Turbinated Bone) is one of the Turbinates in the Nose. Empty nose syndrome (ENS is a medical term coined by Dr Kern and Dr |  Right nasal airway passage |
References
- ^ a b c d e f Anatomy of the Human Body Gray, Henry (1918) The Nasal Cavity.
- ^ a b c d e f Turbinate Dysfunction: Focus on the role of the inferior turbinates in nasal airway obstruction. S. S. Reddy, et al. Grand Rounds Presentation, UTMB, Dept. of Otolaryngology
- ^ a b Reduction/Removal of the Inferior Turbinate From the Sinus Info Center.
Dictionary
nasal concha
-noun
- (anatomy) Any one of the three thin bony plates on the lateral wall of the nasal cavity.
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