The Inferior Turbinate: Role in Normal Respiration and Airway Obstruction

Purpose of Review The understanding of the inferior turbinate (IT) function, role in nasal obstruction, and its management for symptomatic relief has evolved. We aim to provide a comprehensive review of the anatomy, contribution to nasal function and response of the IT to sinonasal disease. Recent Findings Techniques to study the nasal physiology are expanding; these include the computational flow dynamics that has allowed a better understanding of the function and role of the inferior turbinate in normal respiration and airway obstruction. The IT function includes warming, moisturizing, and filtering the air prior to the entrance to the lower airways. More sophisticated techniques have been developed to study the nasal physiology, though not widely used in clinical practice.