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Updated: Feb 5, 2026

Quantitative Autonomic Testing
Published on: July 19, 2011
The inferior turbinate: An autonomic organ
Drew H Smith1, Christopher D Brook2, Shahab Virani2
1Florida International University School of Medicine, 11200 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33199, United States of America.
Abstract:
The inferior turbinate has well-recognized respiratory and immune functions to provide the airway with appropriate warmth, humidification, and filtration of the inspired air while sampling the environment for pathogens. Normal functioning of the inferior turbinate relies on an intact autonomic system to maintain homeostasis within the nasal cavity. The autonomic nervous system innervates the submucosal glands and the vasculature within the inferior turbinate, resulting in control of major turbinate functions: nasal secretions, nasal patency, warmth, and humidification. This review will summarize the autonomic innervations of the turbinates, both the normal and abnormal autonomic processes that contribute to the turbinate functions, and the clinical considerations regarding optimal functioning of the turbinate autonomic system.
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