Editing Inferior nasal concha

{{Short description|Facial bone}}
{{Infobox bone
| Name          = Inferior nasal concha 
| Latin         = concha nasi inferior, <br>concha nasalis inferior
| Image         = Gray192.png
| Caption       = Medial wall of left orbit. (Inferior nasal concha visible in center in yellow.)
| Image2        = Gray170.png
| Caption2      = Figure 1: Lateral wall of right nasal cavity showing inferior concha ''in situ.'' (pink)
| Origins       =
| Insertions    =
| Articulations = [[Ethmoid]], [[maxilla]], [[Lacrimal bone|lacrimal]] and [[palatine bone]]
}}
{{More citations needed|date=January 2024}}

[[File:Inferior nasal concha - animation 02.gif|thumb|Inferior nasal concha - animation 02]]

The '''inferior nasal concha''' ('''inferior turbinated bone''' or '''inferior turbinal/turbinate''') is one of the three paired [[nasal concha]]e in the [[human nose|nose]]. It extends horizontally along the lateral wall of the [[nasal cavity]] and consists of a [[wikt:lamina|lamina]] of spongy [[bone]], curled upon itself like a scroll, (''turbinate'' meaning inverted cone).<ref name="Dict">{{cite web |title=Definition of TURBINATE |url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/turbinate#h1 |website=www.merriam-webster.com |language=en}}</ref>  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.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bell |first1=Daniel |title=Dr. |url=https://radiopaedia.org/articles/nasal-concha |website=Radiopaedia |access-date=28 February 2022}}</ref> Hence, these two are considered as a part of the cranial bones.

It has two surfaces, two borders, and two extremities.

==Structure==
[[File: BodyParts3D Inferior nasal concha.stl|thumb|Right and left inferior nasal conchae]]

===Surfaces===
The '''medial surface''' is [[wikt:convex|convex]], perforated by numerous apertures, and traversed by longitudinal grooves for the lodgement of vessels.

The '''lateral surface''' is [[wikt:concave|concave]], and forms part of the [[inferior meatus]].

===Borders===
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 ''anterior'' articulates with the conchal crest of the [[maxilla]];
* the ''posterior'' with the conchal crest of the [[Palatine bone|palatine]];
* the ''middle'' portion presents three well-marked [[Process (anatomy)|processes]], which vary much in their size and form.
** Of these, the anterior or [[lacrimal process]] is small and pointed and is situated at the junction of the anterior fourth with the posterior three-fourths of the bone: it articulates, by its apex, with the descending process of the [[lacrimal bone]], and, by its margins, with the groove on the back of the frontal process of the maxilla, and thus assists in forming the canal for the [[nasolacrimal duct]].
** Behind this process a broad, thin plate, the [[ethmoidal process]], ascends to join the uncinate process of the ethmoid; from its lower border a thin lamina, the [[maxillary process of inferior nasal concha|maxillary process]], curves downward and lateralward; it articulates with the maxilla and forms a part of the medial wall of the [[maxillary sinus]].

The '''inferior border''' is free, thick, and cellular in structure, more especially in the middle of the bone.

===Extremities===
Both extremities are more or less pointed, the posterior being the more tapering.

===Development===
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]].{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}

The entire inferior concha may be absent in some people. This is a consequence of embryologic [[agenesis]] and is a normal anatomic variant.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Tubbs |first=R. Shane |title=Bergman's Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Human Anatomic Variation |last2=Shoja |first2=Mohammadali M. |last3=Loukas |first3=Marios |date=July 2016 |publisher=Wiley-Blackwell |isbn=978-1-118-43035-4 |edition=3rd |language=English}}</ref>

== Clinical significance ==

=== Dysfunction ===
Large, swollen inferior turbinates may lead to blockage of nasal breathing. [[Allergies]], exposure to environmental [[Irritation|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.

=== Surgery ===
Inferior [[Turbinate reduction surgery|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). [[Turbinectomy|Inferior turbinectomy]] is a surgery to remove the [[inferior turbinates]].

In the case of [[Turbinate reduction surgery|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|turbinate reduction]] surgery. Risks of reduction of the inferior or middle turbinates include [[empty nose syndrome]].

==Additional images==
<gallery>
 File:Gray171.png|Right inferior nasal concha. Medial surface.
 File:Gray172.png|Right inferior nasal concha. Lateral surface.
 File:Slide2hal.JPG|Human skull. Inferior nasal concha.
</gallery>

==See also==
{{Anatomy-terms}}
* [[Empty nose syndrome]]
* [[Turbinate|Nasal concha]]
==References==
{{Gray's}}
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Inferior nasal concha}}
* {{SUNYAnatomyFigs|33|01|07}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.tk.de/rochelexikon/pics/s34256.000-1.html |title=Anatomy diagram: 34256.000-1 |work=Roche Lexicon - illustrated navigator |publisher=Elsevier |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121227145535/http://www.tk.de/rochelexikon/pics/s34256.000-1.html |archive-date=2012-12-27 |url-status=dead }}

{{Facial bones}}
{{Nose anatomy}}
{{Portal bar|Anatomy}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Bones of the head and neck]]
[[Category:Otorhinolaryngology]]