näsconchae

Nasal conchae, also called turbinates (in Swedish: näsconchae), are curved bony structures on the lateral wall of the nasal cavity. There are three pairs: superior, middle, and inferior. The superior and middle conchae are parts of the ethmoid bone, while the inferior concha is a separate facial bone. Each concha forms a passage beneath it called a meatus—superior, middle, and inferior—through which air and secretions travel. The openings of several paranasal sinuses and the nasolacrimal duct connect to these meatuses, contributing to drainage and airflow regulation.

Function and lining: The conchae are covered by a mucosal lining of ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium with goblet cells. Their primary roles are to condition inhaled air by warming, humidifying, and filtering it, and to increase the mucosal surface area for air contact. Turbulent airflow created by the conchae aids in particle capture and olfactory sampling. The olfactory region is located higher in the nasal cavity, near the superior concha, contributing to the sense of smell.

Clinical relevance and variation: The conchae can vary in size and shape, with common variations including concha bullosa (air-filled middle turbinate). Turbinate hypertrophy or chronic inflammation from allergic rhinitis or infections can obstruct nasal breathing and reduce airflow. Treatments range from intranasal corticosteroids and decongestants to surgical reduction (turbinate reduction or turbinoplasty) when conservativemethods fail, with care taken to preserve mucosal function and humidification.