Anatomy The ethmoid bone gets its name from the ethmoid plate (lamina cribrosa), which like a sieve has numerous holes and is found in the facial skull (viscerocranium). The ethmoid bone (Os ethmoidale) is a bony structure between the two eye sockets (orbitae) in the skull. It forms one of the central structures of the … Read more
Swelling of the ethmoidal cells In a healthy state, particles and germs in the mucus are transported by the cell movement, the cilia beat, towards the exit (ostium, ostiomeatal unit). During an inflammation of the ethmoid cells (sinusitis ethmoidalis) the mucosa (respiratory ciliated epithelium) of the ethmoid cells can swell. This swelling can close the … Read more
Inflammation of the ethmoidal cells Depending on the length of the symptoms, a distinction is made between acute (lasting 2 weeks), sub-acute (lasting more than 2 weeks, less than 2 months) and chronic (lasting more than 2 months) inflammation of the ethmoid cells (sinusitis). The ethmoid cells are the only paranasal sinuses that are already … Read more
Pain in the ethmoidal cells Inflammation of the ethmoid cells (sinusitis) can cause severe pain in the paranasal sinuses. This pain can be triggered and intensified when bending, coughing or tapping, i.e. in situations where pressure is increased. In addition, especially if the maxillary sinuses are also affected, tapping and pressure pain may occur to … Read more
Anatomy The nasal mucosa is a thin layer of tissue that lines our nasal cavities from the inside. It is made up of certain skin cells, which have about 50 – 300 short brush-like nasal hairs, the so-called cilia. In addition, glands for secretion formation and venous plexuses for air flow regulation are embedded in … Read more
Clinical pictures An inflammation of the nasal mucosa, medically known as rhinitis or better known as a cold, results in an acute or permanent inflammation of the nasal mucosa. Triggers can be pathogens (often viruses), allergies (e.g. pollen, house dust mites, animal hair), tissue loss of the nasal mucosa due to malformations or tumors, or … Read more
The frontal sinus (Sinus frontalis) belongs like the maxillary sinus, sphenoidal sinus and the ethmoid cells to the paranasal sinuses (Sinus paranasales). It represents an air-filled cavity in the bone that forms the forehead and, like the other parts of the paranasal sinuses, it can also become inflamed, which is known as sinusitis (see below). … Read more
The sinusitis Sinusitis frontalis can be further divided into an acute and a chronic form. The underlying cause of both acute and chronic sinusitis is a ventilation disorder that is accompanied by subsequent bacterial infection of the sinuses. In the acute form of inflammation, which by definition lasts less than 30 days, rhinitis is the … Read more
Synonyms Nasal septum, septum nasi Anatomy The nasal septum divides the main nasal cavities into a left and a right side. The nasal septum thus forms the central boundary of the nostrils (nares). The nasal septum forms the externally visible shape of the nose with a posterior bony (vomer and lamina perpendicularis ossis ethmoidalis), a … Read more
Examination of the nasal septum Since the nasal septum is already partially visible from the outside, an external inspection can reveal an oblique position, a hump, piercings or even infections lying far out and thus provide clues to the problem at hand. As a rule, this is followed by an examination using a speculum. Here … Read more
Introduction The maxillary sinus (Sinus maxillaris) is the largest paranasal sinus in pairs. It is of very variable shape and size. The floor of the maxillary sinus often shows protrusions, which are caused by the roots of the small and large posterior teeth. The maxillary sinus is air-filled and lined with ciliated epithelium. There is … Read more
Function of the maxillary sinus The maxillary sinus is one of the pneumatical spaces of the human body. Pneumatization spaces are bone cavities filled with air. They are usually covered with mucous membrane, but the exact function is not yet fully understood. It is assumed that these cavities serve, among other things, to save weight. … Read more