Atrophic rhinitis is a chronic nasal disease and is characterized with foul odour, atrophy of nasal mucosa and crust formation. Se¬veral theories have been put to explain the pathogenesis; however none of these has been validated. In this study, the condition of tra¬ce elements which have many important biochemical functions, has been investigated in atrophic rhinitis. Serum and nasal mucosa le¬vels of zinc and copper have been determinated in 19 patients with atrophic rhinitis. As a result, a disturbance in zinc metabolism may play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease.