Maxillary sinus 2357579 212812424 2008-05-16T11:20:16Z 86.147.32.104 /* Floor */ {{Infobox Anatomy | Name = Maxillary sinus | Latin = sinus maxillaris | GraySubject = 223 | GrayPage = 999 | Image = Gray1199.png | Caption = Outline of bones of face, showing position of air sinuses. | Precursor = | System = | Artery = [[infraorbital artery]], [[posterior superior alveolar artery]] | Vein = | Nerve = [[posterior superior alveolar nerve]], [[medial superior alveolar nerve]], [[anterior superior alveolar nerve]], and [[infraorbital nerve]] | Lymph = | MeshName = Maxillary+Sinus | MeshNumber = A04.531.621.578 | DorlandsPre = | DorlandsSuf = | }} The '''maxillary sinus''' (or '''Antrum of Highmore''') is the largest of the [[paranasal sinus]]es, and is pyramidal in shape. ==General characteristics== Found in the [[body of the maxilla]], this sinus has three recesses: an alveolar recess pointed inferiorly, bounded by the alveolar process of the maxilla; a zygomatic recess pointed laterally, bounded by the zygomatic bone; and an infraorbital recess pointed superiorly, bounded by the inferior orbital surface of the maxilla. The medial wall is composed primarily of cartilage. The ostia for drainage is located high on the medial wall and opens into the semilunar hiatus of the lateral nasal cavity; because of the position of the ostia, gravity cannot drain the maxillary sinus contents when the head is erect. The sinus is lined with [[mucoperiosteum]], with cilia that beat toward the ostia. The size of the sinuses varies in different skulls, and even on the two sides of the same skull. The [[infraorbital canal]] usually projects into the cavity as a well-marked ridge extending from the roof to the anterior wall; additional ridges are sometimes seen in the posterior wall of the cavity and are caused by the alveolar canals. ==Nasal wall/base== Its nasal wall, or base, presents, in the disarticulated bone, a large, irregular aperture, communicating with the [[nasal cavity]]. In the articulated skull this aperture is much reduced in size by the following bones: * the [[uncinate process of ethmoid bone|uncinate process of the ethmoid]] above, * the ethmoidal process of the [[inferior nasal concha]] below, * the vertical part of the [[palatine bone|palatine]] behind, * and a small part of the [[lacrimal bone|lacrimal]] above and in front. The sinus communicates through an opening into the [[semilunar hiatus]] on the lateral nasal wall. ==Posterior wall== On the posterior wall are the [[alveolar canals]], transmitting the [[posterior superior alveolar artery|posterior superior alveolar vessels]] and [[posterior superior alveolar nerve|nerves]] to the [[Molar (tooth)|molar]] teeth. ==Floor== The floor is formed by the [[alveolar process of maxilla|alveolar process of the maxilla]], and, if the sinus is of an average size, is on a level with the floor of the nose; if the sinus is large it reaches below this level. Projecting into the floor of the antrum are several conical processes, corresponding to the roots of the first and second [[molar teeth]]; in some cases the floor is perforated by the apicies of the teeth. ==Pathology== Maxillary [[sinusitis]] is [[inflammation]] of the maxillary sinuses. ==Additional images== <gallery> Image:Illu09 sinuses.jpg|[[Paranasal sinus]]es Image:Gray158.png|Left maxilla. Nasal surface. Image:Gray192.png|Medial wall of left orbit. Image:Gray379.png|Left orbicularis oculi, seen from behind. Image:Gray859.png|Coronal section of nasal cavities. Image:Gray1003.png|The permanent teeth, viewed from the right. Image:Maxillary_sinus_MRI.jpg|MRI image showing maxillary sinuses. </gallery> ==External links== * {{SUNYRadiology|Headneck|17Maxill}} * {{ViennaCrossSection|skull/x-front}} * {{NormanAnatomy|lesson9}} ({{NormanAnatomyFig|latnasalwall3}}, {{NormanAnatomyFig|nasalcavitfrontsec}}) {{Facial bones}} [[ar:جيب فكي علوي]] [[fr:Sinus paranasal]] [[de:Kieferhöhle]]