Sphenoidal sinus
Sinus sphenoidalis
Definition
The sphenoidal sinus is a usually small sinus carved inside the body of the presphenoid bone and sometimes extended in the palatine bone (Horses), where it communicates not only with the nasal cavity but also with the maxillary sinus.
In Bulls, its cavity is often obstructed by fat-like formations, in Cats, it is proportionally vast and in elder Suidae, it may excavate also the occipital bone.
In Dogs, it is occupied largely by endoturbinate IV, as mentionned by Evans and de Lahunta (2012). However, Barone 2017 does not described the sphenoidal sinus among the sinuses and Constantinescu and Shaller consider that it is absent in carnivores (probably only dogs).
References
Barone R. Anatomie comparée des mammifères domestiques, Tome 1, Ostéologie, 5th edition, Vigot, Paris, 2017.
Constantinescu GM, Schaller O. Illustrated veterinary anatomical nomenclature, 3rd Edition, Enke Verlag, Stuttgart, 2012.
Evans HE, de Lahunta A. Miller’s anatomy of the dog, 4th edition, Elsevier Saunders, St Louis, 2012.
