Turbinates

As the name suggest, turbinates create a turbulence to the air stream that we breathe in. By doing so, more surface area is provide and the nose can do a better job at warming, moisturizing, and filtering the air before it reaches the lungs.

These structures are also covered with a mucous membrane that aids in this function.

The nose is divided into two cavities. It is a piece of cartilage that makes this separation called the nasal septum. On the side wall of the nose are 3 rounded projections called the superior, middle and inferior turbinates as shown in the picture below.

Picture drawn by David Wright.

The superior is the smallest and located on top. The ethmoid sinus drains nearby.
The middle is located above the inferior and has several sinuses draining near it.
The inferior is the largest and is parallel to the bottom of the nose.

The Function of Turbinates

1.) Warms the air that we breathe.
As the air enters into the nose, the turbinates give it an increase surface area in which it interacts with. Warm blood is circulating in the membrane that covers them. On cold days, they swell and also produce more mucus. This is why our noses run on cold days. The blood, with the increase surface area, warms the air. As the blood enters the walls of the nose, it also narrows the passageway and gives the turbinates more time to warm the air.

The nasal cycle: For those who have no nasal problems, even they may have noticed that at times one nostril seems to be blocked and the other one seems to be more open. They may have thought this to be a problem when in fact, it is a normal process. About every two to six hours, the blood increases to one side of the nose and decreases to the other side. The side that it increases to swells. This results in that side doing a little more of the air warming and the other side doing more of the breathing. The dominant side for breathing switches back and forth several times per day.

2.) Adds humidity to the air that we breathe.
A mucus membrane covers the turbinates and secrets a moist substance. As the air passes over the large surface area that they provide, humidity is added to the air before it reaches the lungs.

3.) Filters the air that we breathe.
The membrane covering them that secretes mucus is sticky and catches particles that we breathe in. They catch bacteria, viruses, toxins, air pollution and allergens. The cilia perform the function of moving the mucus and the particles caught in its flow to the back of the throat. From there, they are swallowed and neutralize by the stomach acids and enzymes.

4.) Function to aid in sleep.
During a normal sleep cycle, we turn about 50 times during the night. Moving around while we sleep is important to our health. If we didn't, we could develop pressure sores. Furthermore, moving while we sleep keeps the blood moving in our veins and protects us from the slowing down or even stopping of the blood flow. This turning and tossing through out the night also helps to distribute the body's lymph fluids.

When you sleep on your right side, gravity causes the right turbinates to fill. When they fill to the extent that they reach the septum and apply pressure there, you become uncomfortable and respond by turning over. Eventually the left fills up and puts pressure on the septum again and you respond by turning over again. This process protects us from the risk associated with the lack of movement.

5.) Protects the sinus drainage holes.
The space between each turbinate is called a meatus. The sinuses drain nearby. They prevent irritation and contamination from the air that we breathe in. They act as baffles, directing the passage of air in a winding pattern through the nose instead of allowing a straight path that could dry out or dehydrate the drainage openings. This function helps keeps the sinuses drainage thin and free-flowing. This 'baffle effect' also contributes in the warming of the air.

The obstructednose.com website provides useful information about turbinates and related topics.

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