What purpose do the conchae serve?

What purpose do the conchae serve?

• A. They secrete mucous into the nasal cavity.
• B. They cause air flow turbulence.
• C. They propel foreign particles into the pharynx.
• D. They stimulate the cilia.

Answer: (B)

Conchae increase the surface area inside the nasal cavity and create a turbulent flow of air as it passes over them. This turbulence slows the air and maximizes contact with the mucous lining, allowing the air to be warmed and humidified and to have particles trapped in mucus. Those trapped particles are then moved toward the pharynx by the cilia in a process called mucociliary clearance. The conchae themselves don’t secrete mucus, don’t propel particles, and don’t directly stimulate the cilia. Their main role is to cause air flow turbulence, improving conditioning and filtration of inspired air.

Conchae increase the surface area inside the nasal cavity and create a turbulent flow of air as it passes over them. This turbulence slows the air and maximizes contact with the mucous lining, allowing the air to be warmed and humidified and to have particles trapped in mucus. Those trapped particles are then moved toward the pharynx by the cilia in a process called mucociliary clearance. The conchae themselves don’t secrete mucus, don’t propel particles, and don’t directly stimulate the cilia. Their main role is to cause air flow turbulence, improving conditioning and filtration of inspired air.