The inferior turbinate: an autonomic organ
Smith, Drew Hayes
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The inferior turbinates are important anatomical nasal structures that provide warmth, humidification, and filtration of the inspired air to provide optimal conditioning for lung function. Besides these well-established basic functions, the turbinates are also important in immune function as the interface between the airway and the environment. Proper functioning of the inferior turbinates relies on an intact autonomic system, which maintains homeostasis within the nasal cavity. The autonomic nervous system innervates the submucosal glands and the vasculature within the inferior turbinate, resulting in control of major turbinate functions: nasal secretions, nasal patency, and amount of warmth and humidification provided. This thesis will summarize the normal and abnormal autonomic processes that contribute to the inferior turbinate as an autonomic organ.