1. In the shape of a coil
   "The turbinate shell of the snail";
   - coiling, helical, spiral, spiraling [US], volute, voluted, whorled, spiralling [Brit, Cdn]
    
2. Of or relating to the scroll-shaped turbinate bones in the nasal passages
   "The turbinate bones play a role in filtering and humidifying inhaled air"

1. Any of the scrolled spongy bones of the nasal passages in man and other vertebrates
   "The turbinate bones help to warm and humidify inhaled air";
   - turbinate bone, turbinal

Derived forms: turbinates

See also: coiled

Type of: bone, os[2]

Part of: beak [informal], conk [Brit, informal], honker [informal], hooter [informal], nose, nozzle [informal], olfactory organ, schnoz [informal], schnozzle [informal], snoot [informal], snout [informal]

Encyclopedia: Turbinate