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Topic

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Superior nasal concha

The superior nasal concha, also known as the superior turbinate, is a thin, curved bony projection arising from the ethmoid bone within the superior portion of the nasal cavity. It forms part of the lateral nasal wall and contributes to the superior meatus, directing airflow and facilitating air filtration, humidification, and olfaction. The superior nasal concha is smaller and more delicate than the middle concha and lies above the middle nasal concha, posterior to the frontal sinus opening and anterior to the sphenoethmoidal recess. Its mucosal covering contains olfactory epithelium, playing a crucial role in the sense of smell.

Synonyms

  • Superior turbinate

  • Upper nasal concha

  • Ethmoidal superior concha

Function

  • Directs airflow through the nasal cavity for filtration and humidification

  • Supports the olfactory epithelium for the sense of smell

  • Forms the superior meatus, facilitating drainage from the posterior ethmoidal sinuses

  • Contributes to turbulence of airflow, optimizing air conditioning and particle deposition

MRI Appearance
T1-weighted images:

  • Appears as a thin, linear hypointense structure due to its bony composition

  • Surrounded by mucosa and surrounding soft tissue, providing clear contrast

  • Air within the nasal cavity appears as a signal void (black), sharply delineating the concha

T2-weighted images:

  • Bone remains hypointense, while mucosal lining and any fluid (e.g., sinus secretions) appear hyperintense

  • Air within the superior meatus remains signal void, aiding in orientation

  • Useful for detecting mucosal thickening, edema, or small inflammatory changes

STIR (Short Tau Inversion Recovery):

  • Fat suppression highlights mucosal edema or inflammatory changes

  • Normal bony concha remains hypointense, while pathologic changes appear bright hyperintense

  • Excellent for identifying subtle sinusitis or ethmoid pathology

CT Appearance

  • Appears as a thin, dense bony structure on axial and coronal planes

  • Air in the superior meatus and nasal cavity appears hypodense (black), providing contrast against the concha

  • Mucosal thickening or polyps appear as soft tissue density within the normally air-filled spaces

  • Helps assess ethmoidal sinus drainage pathways, anatomic variations, and bony abnormalities

MRI images

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