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Healthcare information for sinusitis sufferers |
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Healthcare information for sinusitis sufferers |
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| Home What is Sinusitis? Sinusitis Quiz Symptoms Causes Treatment Options Find A Doctor Patient Stories Sinus Anatomy FAQ Glossary Editorial Contributors Tell Us Your Story ObstructedNose.com |
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Sinus AnatomyThe sinuses are air-filled bony cavities located in the face and skull adjacent to the nose. There are four pairs of sinuses. The right and left frontal sinuses are found in the forehead region, the maxillary sinuses are in the cheek area, the ethmoid sinuses are between the eyes, and the sphenoid sinuses lie deep in the center of the skull. Each sinus is connected to the nose by a small opening called an ostium. All except the frontal sinuses begin growing before birth as small pockets approximately the size of a pea. They increase in size through childhood until they are about as large as a walnut.The purpose of the sinuses is not fully understood. Some experts maintain that they exist to lighten the skull, while others note that sinuses improve vocal resonance. Most physicians believe that their chief function is to produce a special mucus that keeps the inside of the nose moist and protects it from dust, dirt, pollutants, and microbiologic organisms. The mucus layer is propelled by tiny hair cells called cilia toward the back of the nose and throat, where it is swallowed.
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