sphenoidal sinuses

Bone: Sphenoidal sinuses
Lateral wall of nasal cavity; the three nasal conchæ have been removed. (Sphenoidal sinus visible at upper right, in dark circle.)
Nose and nasal cavities. (Sphenoid sinus labeled at upper right.)
Latin	sinus sphenoidalis
Gray's	subject #223 998
MeSH	Sphenoid+Sinus
Dorlands/Elsevier	s_12/12739248

The sphenoidal sinuses (or sphenoid) contained within the body of the sphenoid vary in size and shape; owing to the lateral displacement of the intervening septum they are rarely symmetrical.

The following are their average measurements: vertical height, 2.2 cm.; transverse breadth, 2 cm.; antero-posterior depth, 2.2 cm.

Relations

When exceptionally large they may extend into the roots of the pterygoid processes or great wings, and may invade the basilar part of the occipital bone.

Each sinus communicates with the sphenoethmoidal recess by means of an aperture in the upper part of its anterior wall.

Innervation

The mucous membrane is innervated by the posterior ethmoidal nerves, and the orbital branches of the pterygopalatine ganglion.

Infection

A potential complication of sphenoid sinusitis is cavernous sinus thrombosis.

Development

They are present as minute cavities at birth, but their main development takes place after puberty.

Additional images

Paranasal sinuses	Sphenoid bone. Anterior and inferior surfaces.	Lateral wall of nasal cavity, showing ethmoid bone in position.	Horizontal section of nasal and orbital cavities.
Oblique section through the cavernous sinus.	Lateral wall of nasal cavity.	Sagittal section of nose mouth, pharynx, and larynx.

See also

• Paranasal sinus

External links

• SUNY Labs 33:st-0712
• Norman/Georgetown lesson9 (latnasalwall3)

This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained herein may be outdated. Please edit the article if this is the case, and feel free to remove this notice when it is no longer relevant.

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