• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Dr Dharambir S Sethi

24 by 7 Appointment
+65 8125 3580

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT
MAKE AN ENQUIRY
  • HOME
  • ABOUT A/PROF SETHI
    • About A/Prof Sethi
    • International Meetings
    • Photo Gallery
  • MEDICAL CONDITIONS & PROCEDURES
        • Allergy Services
          • Allergic Rhinitis
        • Nose & Sinuses
          • Running Nose
          • Nose Bleeds
          • Nasal Polyps
          • Sinusitis
          • Why do I need a CT scan for my sinuses?
          • Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (ETD)
          • Nose Cancer
          • Nasal Septum
          • Nasal Turbinates
          • Nasal Endoscopy
          • Radio-frequency Reduction
          • Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
          • Antral Wash Out
        • Ear Diseases & Hearing Loss
          • How Do We Hear Sound
          • Otoendoscopy
          • Ear Pain
          • Ear Wax
          • Keratosis Obuternas
          • Otomycosis
          • Acute Otitis Media
          • Bullous Myringitis
          • Glue Ear
          • Acute Ear Pain
          • Cholesteatoma
          • Pulsatile tinnitus
        • Neck, Submandibular Thyroid & Parotid Gland
          • Lymph Nodes
          • Parotid Tumours
          • Submandibular Masses
        • Throat and Voice
          • Adenoids
          • Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease
          • Tonsils
        • Snoring and Sleep Apnoea
          • Sleep, Snoring and Sleep Apnoea
        • ENT Problems in Children
          • Nasal & Septal Surgery
        • Minor Endoscopic Procedures
        • Advanced Endoscopic Sinus Surgery Procedures
          • Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
          • Cerebrospinal Fistula
          • Optic Nerve Decompression
          • Endoscopic Pituitary Surgery
          • Endoscopic Repair of Encephalocele
        • Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery
  • PATIENT INFORMATION
    • Medical concierge
    • ENT Emergencies
  • BLOG
  • CONTACT
    • Make an Appointment
    • Make an Enquiry
    • Getting to Our Clinic

Home / Nose Sinuses / Nasal Turbinates

Nasal Turbinates

Call +65 8125 3580
for 24 by 7 appointment

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT
MAKE AN ENQUIRY

What are nasal turbinates?

Nasal Turbinates: l Inferior turbinates (1), Middle turbinate (2) and Superior Turbinate (3)

Located on the side wall (lateral walls) of the nasal cavity are three bony projections that are lined by nasal mucosa. The lower most of these is called the Inferior Turbinate (1). It is also the largest.  The middle of the three is the Middle Turbinate (2). The uppermost of the three turbinates is called the Superior Turbinate (3). In some cases a fourth turbinate may be present. This is called the Supreme Turbinate. The turbinates increase the surface area of the nasal cavity. One of the functions of the nose is to warm and humidify the air that we breathe. No matter what the external temperature is, by the time the air that we breathe, reaches the back part of the nose, it warmed to body temperature. Considering that it takes a fraction of a micro-second to do that it is quite a feat especially when you are in a cold country. It is for this reason that the inferior turbinate has a very profuse blood supply. The blood supply though the inferior turbinate is not the same (equal) on both sides. It always varies. One side of the nose will have more blood flowing through the inferior turbinate than the other side. And it takes turns to do just that. After a period which can vary from 20 minutes o 2 hours the side with more blood supply will shift to the other side. This behaviour of the blood flow through the inferior turbinates is called the NASAL CYCLE. The side with more blood supply will appear slightly blocked as compared to the side with less blood supply. It is for this reason some patients complains of nasal blockage that keeps shifting from one side to the other. The inferior turbinate also contains cells that are involved in allergies, the MAST cells. These cells secrete histamine when they come into contact with the allergens. Histamine being a potent vasodilator will cause the turbinates to swell up. Persistent and prolonged allergies mat lead to the inferior turbinates becoming very swollen and enlarged. This enlarged inferior turbinate may be mistaken for a polyp. Enlarged or hypertrophied inferior turbinates are one of the commonest causes of nasal obstruction.

NOSE & SINUSES CONDITIONS

  • RUNNING NOSE
  • NOSE BLEEDS
  • NASAL POLYPS
  • SINUSTITIS
  • NOSE CANCER
  • EUSTACHIAN TUBE DYSFUNCTION (ETD)
  • NASAL SEPTUM
  • NASAL TURBINATES
  • NASAL ENDOSCOPY

NOSE & SINUSES PROCEDURES

  • WHY DO I NEED A CT SCAN FOR MY SINUSES
  • NASAL ENDOSCOPY
  • RADIO-FREQUENCY REDUCTION
  • ENDOSCOPIC SINUS SURGERY
    • Post Operative Care
    • Complications of Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
  • ANTRAL WASH OUT

Footer

MAIN CLINIC

Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre
#04-21/22/34,
38 Irrawaddy Road
Singapore 329563

  • ABOUT A/PROF SETHI
  • Patient Information
    • Medical Conditions
    • ENT Emergencies
  • MEDICAL CONDITIONS & PROCEDURES
    • Allergy Services
    • Nose & Sinuses
    • Ear Diseases & Hearing Loss
    • Neck, Submandibular Thyroid & Parotid Gland
    • Throat and Voice
    • Snoring and Sleep Apnoea
    • ENT Problems in Children
    • Ear Nose and Throat Emergencies
    • Minor Endoscopic Procedures
    • Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
    • Advanced Endoscopic Sinus Surgery Procedures
    • Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery
    • Nasal & Septal Surgery
  • CONTACT US
    • Make an appointment
    • Make an enquiry
    • Getting to our clinic

Sitemap • Privacy Policy

© Copyright 2020 Dr Sethi. All Rights Reserved.