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These are very delicate and complex organs and their correction is always based on conservative criteria. Each nasal cavity contains three turbinates: the lower, intermediate and upper turbinates.
In the parenchyma (functional elements) of the turbinates there are many glands that produce nasal mucus which act as dust filters and bring them, together with other impurities, into the rhinopharynx to be digested in order to recover water and protein.
If in the past the attempt to improve air permeability was done by removing the lower turbinate, in reality this mutilated the nasal function itself. In light of new discoveries, modern rhinology opts for conservative techniques. Quite like the dentist who prefers to fill in a tooth rather than pull it out, in the same way the nose surgeon (rhinologist) prefers to remove portions including the glands and vessels preserving the mucous tissue, rather than mutilating the turbinate completely. The re-cutting of portions of the turbinate occurs only in cases where the mucous tissue is clearly damaged and no longer functional. Also this type of surgery does not make use of nasal pads.
The mucus of the turbinates often get hypertrophied, meaning that they swell due to allergies, infections, substances in the air, smoke, and vasoconstrictory nasal sprays. The hypertrophy of the turbinates cause an obstruction of the air passage which forces breathing through the mouth. The hypertrophy may involve the lower intermediate or upper turbinates. Hypertrophy of the lower turbinate often occurs simultaneously with sinusitis.
Hypertrophy of the intermediate turbinates may cause sinusitis, headaches and trigeminal neuralgia. The tissue of these turbinates is particularly rich in nerve terminals and vascular connections with the brain tissue. It has been seen how in intervening on the bone section of the nasal septum, most of these pathologies are resolved.