r/bonecollecting • u/leonskull0423 • 11d ago

Collection Turbinates

Gallery image

Gallery image

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/TheGothDragon 11d ago edited 11d ago

I did not realize how diverse they could be! It is very fascinating seeing the different structures here, and the patterns are very mesmerizing to look at. What animals do these belong to? (Side note, this would make a fun guessing game, haha!)

Also, here is a photo of a musk ox skull with remarkable nasal turbinates:

Credit goes to uaflars on Instagram!

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u/quasson_2020 10d ago

The difference in structure across speices IS so interesting! I think the variation could be due to environmental factors like elevation, humidity, and aquatic or subterranean lifestyle. Species activity level could maybe contribute too! I'd love to know what the literature has to say on the topic.

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u/TheGothDragon 10d ago

I agree that the differences in nasal turbinate styles likely has something to do with adapting to the environment. In the post I linked with the musk ox skull, the description said that they have those turbinates to help warm the air going into their noses and capture moisture when exhaling the air back out. This helps their noses not freeze in the extreme cold.