How do crocodile nasal passages differ from those of lizards?

The nasal passages of crocodiles differ significantly from those of lizards due to the development of a secondary bony palate in crocodiles.12

In lizards, the olfactory and respiratory regions are distinct, and there is a single true turbinal bone growing from the outer wall of the nasal cavity.1

In contrast, crocodiles possess a hard, secondary bony palate that encloses the nasal passage, creating a considerable distance between the external nostrils and the internal nostrils (choanae) located at the posterior end of the palate. This anatomical adaptation allows crocodiles to breathe even when their mouths are open underwater. Additionally, crocodiles are unique among reptiles in that they possess air sinuses that extend from the olfactory cavities into the skull bones.312