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Function of the Turbinates: Nasal Cycle

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Nasal Physiology and Pathophysiology of Nasal Disorders

Abstract

Respiratory function of the nose is to sufficiently condition the respirated air which is maintained by supplying the mucosa with thermal energy and fluid for humidification. This is supplied by the blood circulation and in coherence with the nasal cycle (Grützenmacher et al. Am J Rhinol 1:53–57, 2005). The erectile tissue enables the turbinates to cyclically congest and decongest. One side of the nose is in its working phase conditioning the air, with an unimpeded air passage and increased turbulence. At the same time, the contralateral side is in its resting phase, saving energy and moisture by high airway resistant low turbulence (Lang et al. Laryngoscope 113(2):284–289, 2003).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Rhinology Center Marburg, University Hospital Marburg UKGM, Baldinger Straße, D-35043, Marburg, Germany

    Rainer K. Weber MD

  2. Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Rhinology Center Marburg, University Hospital Marburg UKGM, Marburg, Germany

    Jochen A. Werner MD

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  1. Rainer K. Weber MD
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  2. Jochen A. Werner MD
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Correspondence to Rainer K. Weber MD .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Otorhinolaryngology, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey

    T. Metin Önerci

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Weber, R.K., Werner, J.A. (2013). Function of the Turbinates: Nasal Cycle. In: Önerci, T. (eds) Nasal Physiology and Pathophysiology of Nasal Disorders. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-37250-6_21

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-37250-6_21

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