A
nostril is one of the two channels of the
nose, from the point where they bifurcate to the external opening. In
birds and
mammals they contain branched bones or cartilages called
turbinates[?] whose function is to warm air on inhalation and remove moisture on exhalation.
Fish do not breathe through their noses, but they do have two small holes used for
smelling which may be called nostrils.
The nostrils of some whales are highly asymmetric, one nostril proceeding straight diagonally up to the blowhole, the other detouring to the back of the head.
Procellariiformes are distinguished from other birds by having tubular extensions of their nostrils.
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