Among growths found in the nose are polypi, innocent pedunculated mucous growths, often resembling a butter-bean in shape, and having the consistency of an oyster with the moist glistening surface of grape pulp. Polypi, in the majority of cases, spring from the mucous membrane adjacent to or covering the middle turbinated body. They very rarely spring from the superior turbinated body or septum; we may see them in the nose, having their origin in the accessory cavities, notably the antrum of Highmore. They are sometimes seen in children, but commonly in adults, in the male more frequently than in the female.
As to their etiology, Bosworth describes the mucous covering of the middle turbinal area as becoming "water soaked," and subsequent pyriform growth is accounted for by anterior stenosis, and suction action in hawking, sniffing, and nose-blowing efforts. Polypi are often the accompaniment of hypertrophic catarrh, especially in such cases