Concha
/ˈkɒŋ.kə/noun
A shell or shell-like structure; in anatomy, a rounded cavity or turbinate structure.
Did you know?Concha is a classical Latin loanword from Greek, and its shell imagery helped it survive into anatomy because the curved shape of the ear and nasal passages looked like a sea shell to early physicians.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
kónkhē (κόγχη)
“Shell; hollow shell-like object; also a hollow or cavity”
Classical Latin
Latin
concha
“Shell; mussel; shellfish; a basin or bowl shaped like a shell”
Late Latin
Latin
concha
“Shell; shell-shaped cavity or vessel”
Middle English
English
conche / concha
“A shell, especially a marine shell”
Modern English
English
concha
“A shell or shell-shaped anatomical structure”
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