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Topic

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Inferior nasal concha

The inferior nasal concha (also called inferior turbinate) is a paired, scroll-shaped bony structure projecting medially from the lateral wall of the nasal cavity. Unlike the middle and superior conchae, it is a separate bone (not part of the ethmoid) and is covered by mucosa containing vascular and erectile tissue, which helps regulate airflow and humidify inhaled air. The concha increases the surface area of the nasal cavity, promoting filtration, humidification, and warming of inspired air. Its anterior, middle, and posterior portions define airflow pathways in the nasal cavity and play a key role in nasal physiology and olfaction.

Synonyms

  • Inferior turbinate

  • Inferior nasal turbinate

  • Concha nasalis inferior

Function

  • Regulates airflow through the nasal cavity

  • Humidifies, warms, and filters inspired air

  • Contributes to olfaction and resonance of the voice

  • Houses vascular erectile tissue for the nasal cycle

  • Supports mucociliary clearance of inhaled particles

MRI Appearance
T1-weighted images:

  • Inferior nasal concha appears as a hypointense bony structure

  • Covered by mucosa and soft tissue, which are intermediate signal intensity

  • Surrounding air within the nasal cavity appears as a signal void (black), clearly outlining the concha

  • Edema, inflammation, or tumors may appear as hyperintense or enhancing areas in the mucosa

T2-weighted images:

  • Bone remains low signal, while mucosal and soft tissue may appear intermediate to hyperintense, especially if inflamed

  • Air within the nasal cavity remains signal void, sharply contrasting with soft tissue

  • Useful for assessing turbinate hypertrophy, edema, or inflammatory changes

STIR (Short Tau Inversion Recovery):

  • Fat suppression highlights mucosal and soft tissue pathology

  • Normal bone and thin mucosa remain low signal, while edematous or inflamed mucosa appears bright hyperintense

  • Valuable for detecting subtle inflammatory changes or tumors

CT Appearance

  • Inferior nasal concha appears as a thin, curved bony structure (hyperdense) projecting from the lateral nasal wall

  • Surrounding air of the nasal cavity appears hypodense (black), providing natural contrast

  • Easily visualized in axial and coronal planes for assessing turbinate hypertrophy, fractures, or anatomical variations

  • CT is particularly useful for preoperative planning, sinus surgery, and evaluation of airway obstruction

MRI images

Inferior nasal concha mri coronal image -img-00000-00000

CT image

Inferior nasal concha