Adaptive changes in human inferior turbinates between humid and dry climates.

Abstract

Background: Currently, there is limited knowledge regarding the effects of climate on the lower turbinate morphology.

Objectives: This study evaluated the existence of humidity-related climatically adaptive changes in inferior turbinate.

Methods: Previously taken computed tomography images of the paranasal region were evaluated belonging to a total of 100 patients from two different climates (50 patients each from humid climate and from dry climate). The width, length and height of the lower turbinate, the breadth, length and height of the internal nasal passage, height of the inferior airway, breadth of common and inferior meatus were compared.

Results: The group from dry climate has narrower internal nasal passage breadth (p = .010) with wider inferior meatus width (p = .031). No dimensional difference in the lower turbinates was observed between the two climatic groups. These two findings indicate a more lateralized turbinates in the humid group as opposed to more centralized turbinates in the dry group.

Conclusions: Humidity has an effect as a climatic factor on turbinate positioning in the nasal fossa and contribute to an overall pattern of ecogeographic variation of nose. It may be useful to review surgical interventions to the inferior turbinate in the light of this information.