Concha
Concha is a term used in anatomy to refer to structures in the body that have a shell-like shape. The term is most commonly used to refer to the nasal concha, which are the scroll-like structures inside the nasal cavity that help to warm and humidify the air we breathe.
Nasal Concha[edit | edit source]
The nasal concha, also known as the turbinates, are three pairs of bony structures in the nasal cavity. They are covered by a layer of mucous membrane which helps to humidify and warm the air we breathe. The three pairs of concha are the superior, middle, and inferior nasal concha.
Superior Nasal Concha[edit | edit source]
The superior nasal concha is the smallest and most superiorly located of the three pairs of concha. It is a part of the ethmoid bone.
Middle Nasal Concha[edit | edit source]
The middle nasal concha is located below the superior nasal concha and is also a part of the ethmoid bone.
Inferior Nasal Concha[edit | edit source]
The inferior nasal concha is the largest and most inferiorly located of the three pairs of concha. Unlike the superior and middle nasal concha, the inferior nasal concha is its own separate bone.
Function of the Nasal Concha[edit | edit source]
The main function of the nasal concha is to increase the surface area of the nasal cavity. This allows for the air we breathe to be warmed and humidified before it reaches our lungs. The concha also help to filter the air by trapping dust and other particles in the mucus that covers them.
Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]
Conditions that can affect the nasal concha include concha bullosa, which is a condition where air pockets form in the middle nasal concha, and nasal polyps, which are non-cancerous growths that can form on the concha and block the nasal passages.
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