concha

Concha is a term with multiple meanings in Spanish and in various scientific and cultural contexts. In Spanish, concha simply means shell and is used to refer to shells of mollusks as well as to shell-like objects. In anatomy, the nasal conchae are bony structures inside the nasal cavity. The term also appears in cuisine, personal names, and place names.

In anatomy, the nasal conchae (conchae nasales) are three curved shelves that project from the lateral walls of the nasal cavity. They are lined with mucous membrane and function to increase the surface area of the nasal mucosa, helping to warm, humidify, and filter inspired air and to guide airflow through the nasal passages. The superior, middle, and inferior conchae contribute to less turbulent airflow and conditioning of the inhaled air.

In zoology and everyday language, concha refers to a seashell or shell-like object. In English usage, the general term for a seashell is shell, while conch is used for certain large sea snails. In Spanish, concha broadly denotes shells of mollusks and sometimes decorative shell materials.

Concha also appears in cuisine. Concha is a popular Mexican sweet bread, part of the pan dulce family. It is a round loaf topped with a crisp, shell-patterned sugar crust that can be vanilla, chocolate, or other flavors, with a soft, tender interior.

As a personal name, Concha is a feminine given name in Spanish, often a diminutive of Concepción. The term also appears in toponyms, with places named La Concha in Spanish-speaking regions, including the well-known La Concha Beach in San Sebastián, Spain.