Paranasal sinuses
Sinus paranasales
Definition
The paranasal sinuses are a group of four paired air-filled spaces that surround the nasal cavity (maxillary sinuses), above the eyes (frontal sinuses), between the eyes (ethmoidal sinuses), and behind the ethmoids (sphenoidal sinuses). The sinuses are named for the facial bones in which they are located.
The maxillary sinuses, also called the maxillary antrechea and the largest of the paranasal sinuses, are under the eyes, in the maxillary bones.
The frontal sinuses, superior to the eyes, in the frontal bone, which forms the hard part of the forehead.
The ethmoidal sinuses, which are formed from several discrete air cells within the ethmoid bone between the nose and the eyes.
The sphenoidal sinuses, in the sphenoid bone.
The paranasal air sinuses are lined with respiratory epithelium (ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium).
References
