How many sinuses in the head

The straight sinus runs along the falx cerebri and tentorium cerebelli before ending at the confluence of sinuses. The straight sinus usually receives blood from the posterior segments of the cerebral hemisphere surfaces, deep areas of the cerebral hemispheres via the great cerebral vein, superior cerebellar veins, and the falx cerebri.

The cavernous sinuses receive blood from the cerebral veins as well as the ophthalmic veins and emissary veins. The cavernous sinus has several structures that pass through it. They are the internal carotid artery and the abducens nerve cranial nerve VI. Cranial nerves III, IV, V1, V2, or oculomotor, trochlear, ophthalmic, and maxillary nerves pass through the lateral wall of the cavernous sinus. The ethmoidal and maxillary paranasal sinuses are very small in size but present at birth, while the sphenoid and frontal are both absent.

The frontal sinus begins to form as early as 2-years old, but are nonidentifiable by radiology until around 6-years old. The dural venous sinuses are present in a rudimentary form during infancy. They develop their adult shape in the months following birth. The primitive venous sinuses are plexiform and can quickly change due to the rapid growth of the cerebrum. The anterior and posterior ethmoidal branches of the ophthalmic artery supply the ethmoidal and frontal sinuses.

The infraorbital artery and the superior, anterior, and posterior alveolar branches of the maxillary artery supply the mucosa of the maxillary sinus. The pharyngeal branch of the maxillary artery supplies the sphenoidal sinus. The nerves that supply the ethmoidal sinuses are the anterior and posterior ethmoidal branches of the nasociliary nerve. The nasociliary nerve is supplied by the V1 branch ophthalmic nerve of the trigeminal nerve.

Orbital branches of the V2 branch maxillary nerve of the trigeminal nerve via the pterygopalatine ganglion also innervate the ethmoidal air cells. The maxillary sinuses receive innervation from the maxillary nerve via the infra-orbital and alveolar branches. The frontal sinuses receive innervation by the supraorbital nerve, a branch of V1 ophthalmic nerve. The sphenoidal sinuses get their innervation from the posterior ethmoidal branch of V1 ophthalmic nerve as well as orbital branches of the V2 maxillary nerve.

One of the most prominent dural sinuses of the head is the cavernous sinus. This sinus is responsible for allowing the passage of many cranial nerves CN , particularly important for ocular and facial function. Asymmetry and absence of the paranasal sinuses are common. However, the absence of the maxillary sinus occurs infrequently and very rarely bilateral. The advent of endoscopic sinus surgery has increased the interest in the taxonomy of the internal nose and paranasal sinuses. Therefore, the names used by anatomists and surgeons differ at times.

Anatomists use the Terminologia Anatomica. Lund et al. The location of the sphenoidal sinuses provides a convenient pathway to access the pituitary gland in its hypophyseal fossa surgically. The thin bones that line the sphenoidal sinus allow the surgeon to penetrate the roof of the nasal cavity, go through the sphenoidal sinus and enter the hypophyseal fossa. A linear skull fracture can also occur that crosses a venous sinus, which typically causes significant bleeding that is difficult to control with simple digital pressure.

The emissary veins, which traverse the cranium and enter the dural venous sinus system, are a pathway that infection can enter the brain.

This phenomenon is possible because the emissary veins have no valves. Emissary veins from the pterygoid plexus in the infratemporal fossa and ophthalmic veins from the orbit also pass through the cavernous sinus and can be a source of infection. In each case, infection is possible because the veins begin extracranially and become intracranial. Subdural hematomas typically result from injury to cerebral veins where they enter the superior sagittal sinus, which occurs because the cerebral veins are more mobile than the dura-encased sinuses.

This type of intracranial hemorrhage occurs between the dura mater and arachnoid mater, layers of the lining of the brain. A subdural hematoma can occur from the most trivial injury. Epilepsia open. Asia-Pacific journal of ophthalmology Philadelphia, Pa.

Anatomical record Hoboken, N. Otolaryngologic clinics of North America. Clinical practice and cases in emergency medicine. Acta neurochirurgica. International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology. Anatomy, Head and Neck, Nose Sinuses. The spermatic cord is actually a bundle of fibers and tissues that form a cord-like structure that runs through the abdominal region down to the…. In male anatomy, the corpus spongiosum of penis is a mass of erectile tissue that lies along the underside of the penis and is located below the pair….

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The jejunum is one of three sections that make up the small intestine. Learn about its function and anatomy, as well as the conditions that can affect…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. The frontal sinuses are located above the eyes, near your forehead. The ethmoid sinuses are located on each side of the bridge of your nose, near your eyes.

There are three small pairs of the ethmoid sinuses. The sphenoid sinuses are behind the eyes, deeper into your skull. These sinuses collectively are called the paranasal sinuses. Picture of the sinuses. Sinus function. The draining mucus helps keep your nose moist and it filters out dust and bacteria.

The sinuses also: give your voice resonance as the air vibrates help protect your face in case of trauma insulate against rapid temperature changes in the nose provide an immunological defense. The most common sinus problem. Your sinuses can become infected by bacteria, a virus, or both. Infections of the maxillary sinuses are most common.

Diagram of sinus infection. Symptoms of sinusitis Symptoms of a sinus infection are similar to those of a cold: Depending on which sinuses are infected, you may feel pain or pressure in your forehead, cheeks, ears, or teeth.

You may have thick, sticky mucus coming from your nose. Your mucus may be cloudy, or have a greenish-yellow color.

Mucus may drip down the back of your throat postnasal drip , giving you a sore throat and cough. Your nose may be stuffed , restricting your breathing. Your face may feel tender, especially around the eyes. Other symptoms include: hoarseness fever fatigue bad breath decreased sense of smell and taste. Chronic sinus infections. Chronic sinusitis is one of the most common chronic conditions. Factors involved with chronic sinusitis include: viral or bacterial infections fungal infections hay fever or allergies to dust mites, molds, and so on frequent exposure to cigarette smoke or other airborne pollutants nasal polyps , a deviated septum, or a damaged nasal structure medical conditions such as asthma , HIV , or cystic fibrosis aspirin sensitivity respiratory tract infections.

What you can do if you have sinusitis. Acute sinusitis care tips Try moist heat or steam. Inhale for about 2 minutes. Create an enclosed space for the moist, warm air to collect by draping a towel over your head as you lean over the bowl.

Other tips to manage symptoms: Take over-the-counter OTC pain medication to ease headaches. Try OTC drugs such as guaifenesin Mucinex that thins your mucus, which can help to pass the mucus and lessen congestion. Some OTC drugs may thicken your mucus and make it harder to drain. These include: diphenhydramine Benadryl loratadine Claritin cetirizine Zyrtec Talk with a doctor about corticosteroids.

Keeping sinuses healthy. You can take some steps to help keep your sinuses healthy and avoid sinusitis: Keep your hands clean. Maintain moisture in your nose and sinuses. Drink plenty of fluids to keep your mucus thin. Use a humidifier in the winter season, when the air tends to be drier. Use an OTC nasal saline spray to irrigate your nose. Use a neti pot to irrigate your nose and loosen mucus. Keep the dust level down by dusting and vacuuming often, especially in the bedroom.

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