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Adaptive changes in human inferior turbinates between humid and dry climates
Volkan Güngör1, Yonca Çoluk1, Tümay Bekçi2
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Giresun University, Giresun, Turkey.
Acta Oto-Laryngologica
|February 8, 2025
Summary
Climate impacts nasal passage shape, with dry climates leading to narrower passages and more centralized turbinates. Humidity influences turbinate positioning, suggesting ecogeographic variations in nose anatomy.
Area of Science:
- Anatomy
- Environmental Science
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Limited understanding of climate's influence on lower turbinate morphology.
- Investigating climatically adaptive changes in inferior turbinate structure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate humidity-related adaptive changes in inferior turbinate morphology.
- To compare nasal passage dimensions between individuals from humid and dry climates.
Main Methods:
- Computed tomography (CT) scans of 100 patients from distinct climates were analyzed.
- Measurements included lower turbinate dimensions, nasal passage dimensions, and meatus breadth.
- Comparative analysis between humid and dry climate groups.
Main Results:
- Individuals from dry climates exhibited narrower internal nasal passages and wider inferior meatus.
- No significant dimensional differences were found in the lower turbinates themselves.
- Turbinate positioning differed, with more lateralized turbinates in humid climates and centralized in dry climates.
Conclusions:
- Humidity acts as a climatic factor influencing turbinate positioning within the nasal fossa.
- Findings suggest ecogeographic variations in nasal anatomy.
- Surgical interventions on the inferior turbinate may need consideration in light of these findings.
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