Climatic adaptation in human inferior nasal turbinate morphology: Evidence from Arctic and equatorial populations.
Tarah N MarksScott D MadduxLauren N ButaricRobert G FranciscusPublished in: American journal of physical anthropology (2019)
This study documents the existence of ecogeographic variation in human nasal turbinate morphology reflecting climate-mediated evolutionary demands on intranasal heat and moisture exchange. Humans adapted to cold-dry environments exhibit turbinate morphologies that enhance contact between respired air and nasal mucosa to facilitate respiratory air conditioning. Conversely, humans adapted to hot-humid environments exhibit turbinate morphologies that minimize air-to-mucosa contact, likely to minimize airflow resistance and/or facilitate expiratory heat-shedding.