Turbinates (Conchae) Flashcards

Explore the nasal turbinates, including their bony structure, mucosal coverings, airflow functions, sinus drainage, and innervation.

Card 1 of 26Question

What are the nasal turbinates?

Curved, mucosa-covered bony projections extending from the lateral walls of the nasal cavity.

In This Section

1. What are the nasal turbinates?

Curved, mucosa-covered bony projections extending from the lateral walls of the nasal cavity.

2. What is the anatomical term for the nasal turbinates?

Nasal conchae.

3. What are the three principal nasal conchae?

The superior, middle, and inferior nasal conchae.

4. Which bone forms the superior nasal concha?

The ethmoid bone.

5. Which bone forms the middle nasal concha?

The ethmoid bone, as a projection of its ethmoidal labyrinth.

6. Which nasal concha is a separate facial bone?

The inferior nasal concha.

7. Which nasal concha is typically the largest?

The inferior nasal concha.

8. What is the primary function of the nasal conchae?

To increase mucosal surface area and promote airflow mixing for warming, humidification, and filtration.

9. What is a nasal meatus?

An air passage beneath a nasal concha.

10. What is the common nasal meatus?

The longitudinal passage between the nasal septum and the medial surfaces of the nasal conchae.

11. Which structures drain into the superior nasal meatus?

The posterior ethmoidal air cells.

12. Which paranasal sinuses drain into the middle nasal meatus?

The frontal, maxillary, and anterior and middle ethmoidal sinuses.

13. Which duct opens into the inferior nasal meatus?

The nasolacrimal duct.

14. What is the sphenoethmoidal recess?

A space superior and posterior to the superior nasal concha that receives drainage from the sphenoidal sinus.

15. What is the supreme nasal concha?

A small, variably present concha situated above the superior nasal concha.

16. What type of epithelium covers most of the nasal conchae?

Pseudostratified ciliated columnar respiratory epithelium with goblet cells.

17. Which nasal concha contains olfactory mucosa?

The superior nasal concha, particularly its upper region.

18. What structures within the turbinate mucosa help regulate nasal airflow?

Extensive venous sinusoids that expand or contract to change mucosal thickness.

19. What is the nasal cycle?

Alternating congestion and decongestion of nasal mucosa, particularly over the inferior conchae.

20. Which artery provides much of the blood supply to the posterior nasal conchae?

The sphenopalatine artery, through its posterior lateral nasal branches.

21. Which arteries contribute to the blood supply of the anterior and superior conchal regions?

The anterior and posterior ethmoidal arteries, branches of the ophthalmic artery.

22. Which nerve supplies general sensation to the anterosuperior nasal conchal region?

The anterior ethmoidal nerve, derived from the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve (V1).

23. Which nerves provide general sensation to much of the posterior nasal conchae?

The posterior superior and posterior inferior lateral nasal branches associated with the maxillary nerve (V2).

24. What is concha bullosa?

Pneumatization of a nasal concha, most commonly the middle nasal concha.

25. How can enlargement of the inferior nasal concha affect breathing?

It can narrow the nasal airway and increase resistance to airflow.

26. Why is the middle nasal concha an important surgical landmark?

It helps locate the middle meatus and adjacent sinus drainage pathways during endoscopic sinus surgery.