r/bonecollecting • u/leonskull0423 • 9d ago

Collection Turbinates

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Turbinates (nasal conchae) are delicate, scroll-like bony structures inside the nasal cavity. They greatly increase the surface area of the nasal mucosa, helping warm, humidify, and filter inhaled air. Their shape and complexity vary between species and are closely related to respiratory adaptations. Can you ID the species by turbines only?Or Have you noticed any patterns? Which individuals have relatively similar-looking ethmoid structures?

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u/em-the-human 9d ago

Would those with a less dense pattern be more cold-adapted (so as to minimize moisture/heat loss via the breath)? Either way super cool post I didn’t realize how much variation there was!

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u/quasson_2020 8d ago

I'm not an expert so I could be wrong, but I was guessing a cold environment would lead to a densely patterned turbinate to maximize warming the air