concha

1. Anatomy. Any of various structures, such as the external ear, that resemble a shell in shape. Also called conch.
2. Architecture. The half dome over an apse.

[Late Latin, semidome, from Latin, mussel shell. See conch.]

1. The semidome vaulting of an apse; also called a conch.
2. In Spanish architecture and its derivatives, a decorative element in the form of the interior of a sea scallop; see shell-headed.

Pl. conchae [L.] a shell-shaped structure.

• c. of auricle — the base of the auricle of the external ear, bounded anteriorly by the tragus and posteriorly by the antihelix.
• ethmoidal c. — a series of scroll-like bones which arise from the ethmoid bone, project into the nasal chambers and support the olfactory mucous membrane.
• nasal c. — one of two or three delicate, mucosa-covered turbinate bones occupying a large part of each half of the nasal cavity.

Concha can refer to:

• Part of the external ear (i.e. the visible part of the ear), also comprised of the pinna
• nasal concha (plural conchae) also known as turbinates
• Concha or Concho, a round decorative piece of metal seen on a western saddle and other horse equipment descended from the Spanish tradition.
• Spanish for shell
• Spanish slang for vagina
• Mexican sweet roll

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