| Inferior nasal concha | |
| Latin: | concha nasi inferior, concha nasalis inferior |
| Articulations: | Ethmoid, maxilla, lacrimal and palatine bone |
The inferior nasal concha (inferior turbinated bone or inferior turbinal/turbinate) is one of the three paired nasal conchae in the nose. It extends horizontally along the lateral wall of the nasal cavity and consists of a lamina of spongy bone, curled upon itself like a scroll, (turbinate meaning inverted cone).[1] The inferior nasal conchae are considered a pair of facial bones. As the air passes through the turbinates, the air is churned against these mucosa-lined bones in order to receive warmth, moisture and cleansing. Superior to inferior nasal concha are the middle nasal concha and superior nasal concha which both arise from the ethmoid bone, of the cranial portion of the skull.[2] Hence, these two are considered as a part of the cranial bones.
It has two surfaces, two borders, and two extremities.
The medial surface is convex, perforated by numerous apertures, and traversed by longitudinal grooves for the lodgement of vessels.
The lateral surface is concave, and forms part of the inferior meatus.
Its upper border is thin, irregular, and connected to various bones along the lateral wall of the nasal cavity.
It may be divided into three portions: of these,
The inferior border is free, thick, and cellular in structure, more especially in the middle of the bone.
Both extremities are more or less pointed, the posterior being the more tapering.
The inferior nasal concha is ossified from a single center, which appears about the fifth month of fetal life in the lateral wall of the cartilaginous nasal capsule.
The entire inferior concha may be absent in some people. This is a consequence of embryologic agenesis and is a normal anatomic variant.[3]
Large, swollen inferior 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. Deformity of the nasal septum can also result in enlarged turbinates.
Treatment of the underlying allergy or irritant may reduce turbinate swelling. In cases that do not resolve, or for treatment of deviated septum, turbinate surgery may be required.
Inferior turbinate reduction is a surgery to reduce the size of the inferior turbinates. There are different techniques, including bipolar radiofrequency ablation (also known as somnoplasty), electrocautery, and use of cold steel instruments (eg, microdebrider). Inferior turbinectomy is a surgery to remove the inferior turbinates.
In the case of turbinate reduction, only small amounts of turbinate tissue are removed because the turbinates are essential for respiration. Turbinectomy is usually reserved for patients who have persistent symptoms despite previous turbinate reduction surgery. Risks of reduction of the inferior or middle turbinates include empty nose syndrome.