What is the difference between nasal conchae and nasal turbinate

What is the anatomy of this part of the nose, what is its function, and what disorders may occur? Turbinates, which are also called nasal concha or conchae plural , are shell-shaped networks of bones , vessels, and tissue within the nasal passageways. These structures are responsible for warming, humidifying, and filtering the air we breathe. Normally there are three turbinates including the superior upper , middle, and inferior lower turbinates. However, occasionally you can have a fourth turbinate called the supreme turbinate which is situated higher than the superior turbinate.

In between each turbinate is space known as meati , each with a name that coincides with the name of the turbinate that is directly above the space. These spaces form our nasal passageways which direct air flow through our nose. As noted, the nasal turbinates are broken down into three sections, the upper, middle, and lower conchae.

The inferior meatus is the space between the floor of the nasal cavity and the inferior turbinate. This is the largest of the air spaces. This passageway serves multiple purposes:. The middle meatus is the nasal passageway that lies between the inferior meatus and the middle meatus. This space is important for:. The Superior meatus is the nasal space that lies between the middle meatus and the superior meatus. This is normally the top-most nasal passageway, however, occasionally there is also a supreme turbinate that is above the superior turbinate.

Functions of this passageway include:. The upper and middle conchae are part of the ethmoid bone, but the lower conchae is an independent structure. Every one to seven hours, your nasal passageways undergo a cycle of constricting shrinking one turbinate while the other turbinate swells. This subsequently makes some of the passageways narrow, restricting airflow, while enlarging the other airway and improving airflow. During nasal cycle changes, you will not feel congested since your overall airway resistance has not changed.

The purpose of the nasal cycle is not fully understood but common theories include:. URL of Article. Gross anatomy Each inferior nasal concha is a separate facial bone articulating with its respective maxilla and palatine bone. Each pair is composed of one concha that curls medially and downwards on either side of the nasal cavity, separated by the septum 1 : inferior conchae : these are the largest conchae and may be as long as the index finger; they are responsible for the majority of airflow direction, humidification, heating and filtering of air inhaled through the nose middle conchae : small and usually as long as the 5th finger; they project downwards over the openings of the maxillary and ethmoid sinuses and act as buffers to protect the sinuses from pressurised nasal airflow superior conchae : the smallest of the conchae, connected to the middle conchae by nerve-endings and serves to protect the olfactory bulb supreme conchae : variably present, it is usually very small and is the highest of all conchae.

Gray's Anatomy. Churchill Livingstone. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon 2. Variant anatomy of nasal turbinates: supreme, superior and middle conchae bullosae, paradoxical superior and inferior turbinates, and middle accessory turbinate. Rom J Morphol Embryol. Pubmed citation. Related articles: Anatomy: Head and neck. Promoted articles advertising. We studied the computed tomography scans of the nose and paranasal sinuses- in axial, coronal and sagittal planes-of patients who had symptoms of nasal obstruction, or headache and features of chronic sinusitis.

Out of the scans studied, the prevalence of concha bullosa was The concha was bilateral in 35 Out of 99 conchae, 54 were on the right side and 45 were on left side. Ipsilateral sinusitiswas found in Multiple air cells, mucocele, pyocele and inflammatory mucosal thickenings in the concha are relatively rare. Detailed knowledge of anatomic variations of the concha bullosa is imperative for the radiologists and the operating surgeons. A concha bullosa CB represents the presence of air cell in the turbinates, and the middle turbinate MT concha bullosa is a common nasal cavity anatomical variation.

Pneumatization of the MT happens due to variation in the ethmoidal air cell system development. The incidence rates for pneumatization of the MT is between 13 and Documentation of variations in sinonasal anatomy by intraoperative nasal endoscopy. Concha bullosa mucocele and mucopyocele: a series of 4 cases. Concha bullosa mucocele with orbital invasion and secondary frontal sinusitis: a case report.

Concha bullosa. J Otolaryngol ;23 01 Concha bullosa is generally asymptomatic and diagnosed incidentally by computed tomography. Sometimes, an over-pneumatized MT can lead to nasal obstruction, contact headache, deviated nasal septum and chronic sinusitis. Concha bullosa can be unilateral or bilateral and can be classified into three types according to the site of pneumatization.

A disease process of the paranasal sinuses can affect the CB, resulting in mucosal thickening, retention of mucous secretion, mucocele and pyocele within the CB. The CB itself can cause mechanical obstruction, affecting the drainage pathway and leading to sinusitis. Understanding the anatomical variations of the CB make it possible to plan for appropriate management. In this article, we described some of the rare anatomical variations of MT CB, such as extensive mucosal thickening within the CB, air cells in the CB, and mucopyocele of the CB, which can cause orbital complications.

All these conditions and their clinical importance are discussed. The role of the MT CB in predisposition to chronic sinusitis is in question, and there is dissensus on the relationship between the CB and sinus pathology.

Very few research works have investigated the pneumatization and anatomical variation of the CB and its possible association to chronic sinusitis. The objectives of this study were to investigate the anatomical variation of the MT concha bullosa based on paranasal sinus imaging, and its possible association with rhinosinusitis.

A prospective descriptive study was performed at the Department of ENT and Head Neck Surgery over a period of 1 year, from 1st May to 30th April , to determine the prevalence of CB in the paranasal sinus imaging of patients who had symptoms of nasal obstruction or headache and features of chronic sinusitis.

Demographic data, clinical presentation, computed tomography CT of nose and paranasal sinuses 5-mm-thick imaging scans in the axial, coronal and sagittal planes were recorded. The inclusion criterion was the presence of any type of pneumatization of the MT in CTs of the nose and paranasal sinuses.

Any mucosal thickening of 4 mm or more in the sinus cavity wall was taken as positive for sinusitis. Paranasal sinuses on MR images of the brain: significance of mucosal thickening. AJR Am J Roentgenol ; 02 Informed consent forms signed by the patients as well as the institute ethical committee's clearance were obtained prior to this study.

In this study, CT scans of the nose and paranasal sinus of patients were studied, out of which 64 patients 37 males, 27 females; mean age The CB was classified as lamellar, bulbous or extensive type, according to the classification developed by Bolger et al. Paranasal sinus bony anatomic variations and mucosal abnormalities: CT analysis for endoscopic sinus surgery. Laryngoscope ; 1 Pt 1 Patients who underwent any nasal surgery, had any congenital abnormalities of the nose or had been in accidents involving the faciomaxillary region before taking the CT scan were excluded from this study.

A total of 42 patients Out of the CT scans studied of the nose and paranasal sinus of patients, the prevalence of CB was Concha bullosa was bilateral in 35 A neti pot can help you clear up nasal congestion or mucus from allergies.

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Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph. What are the treatments for turbinate hypertrophy? What are the possible complications of turbinate hypertrophy?