What is the Inferior Nasal Turbinate
The inferior nasal turbinate is a small, paired facial bone. It is one of the three bony structures that compose the lateral wall of the nasal cavity, alongside the superior and middle turbinates. Unlike the superior and middle turbinates, the inferior nasal turbinate is a separate bone within the skull.
Where is it situated
They are situated in the nasal cavity, projecting horizontally from the lateral wall on both sides.
Key Information
| How many exist in the human body | 2 |
| Connects with | Ethmoid (1), maxilla (2), palatine (2), and lacrimal (2) bones |
Functions
- Regulating the direction of the airflow during breathing
- Purifying, warming, and moistening the inhaled air
Structure
It is the largest of the three nasal turbinates and can be almost as long as the index finger, maintaining a curled-up form like a scroll. The bone consists of a lamina of spongy bone and has two edges, two surfaces, and two ends.
Surfaces
1. Medial surface
It is a convex surface filled with small perforations for openings and marked with longitudinal grooves for accommodating various blood vessels.
2. Lateral surface
It is the concave surface that partially shapes the inferior nasal meatus, the section of the nasal cavity situated below the inferior nasal turbinate.
Edges
1. Upper edge
It is the irregular, thin edge that connects with various bones along the nasal cavity. It can be divided into the following:
- The front part connects with the maxilla’s turbinate crest.
- The back part connects with the palatine’s turbinate crest.
- The middle part features three distinct processes named after the bones they connect with:
- Lacrimal process: A small, pointed protrusion with a pointed peak connecting with the lacrimal bone’s descending process. Its margins connect with the frontal process of the maxilla. Thus, the lacrimal process aids in forming the nasolacrimal canal.
- Ethmoidal process: A wide, thin bony plate, found behind the lacrimal process, ascending to connect with the ethmoid’s uncinate process.
- Maxillary process: It extends from the lower border of the ethmoidal process, curving down laterally to connect with the maxilla, contributing to the medial wall of the maxillary sinus.
2. Lower edge
It is the thick free lower edge with a spongy structure, particularly in the middle of the inferior nasal turbinate.
Ends
The front and back ends are the tapering extremities of the bone, with the back one being narrower.
References
- Inferior nasal turbinate: RadioPaedia.org
- Nasal Turbinates: KenHub.com
- Anatomy, Head and Neck, Nasal Turbinates: NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov
- Inferior Nasal Turbinate: IMAIOS.com
- Inferior Nasal Turbinate: Anatomy.app
