Dorothy FarrarFrontal sinus
The frontal sinus is one of the paranasal sinuses and is located under the frontal bone . it has the task of ventilating the breathing apparatus and serves to humidify, clean and warm the breathing air.
Definition
The frontal sinus (or frontal sinus) is a cavity found in the frontal bone . The inside of the frontal sinus is lined with a mucous membrane . It is part of the paranasal sinuses and is also part of the human respiratory system.
The size and shape of the frontal sinus is very individual. It is not present at birth, but is developed later. The frontal sinus has only reached its final size when the growth of the body has also stopped.
Anatomy
The frontal sinuses are cavities that are filled with air, which is why they are often referred to as so-called pneumatization spaces (pneum = air). Inside they are lined with mucous membrane. This respiratory ciliated epithelium consists of kinocilia and goblet cells that produce mucus.
The mucus is distributed in the direction of the pharynx by the kinocilia . In addition to the normal connection between the paranasal sinuses and the frontal sinus, there is also another duct that leads to the paranasal sinus and is called the sinus duct.
The frontal sinus does not always have the same shape and four different types can be distinguished. The most common variant is the mitral shape, but the bean shape is rather rare. The other two types are referred to as pyramid shape and leaf shape respectively.
In most cases, the frontal sinus is asymmetrical, with the two parts being separated by the interfrontal septum. It is limited by the anterior cranial fossa and the roof of the eye socket .
Function
Due to the frontal sinus or the paranasal sinuses, the cranial bone can reach a certain size without being subjected to excessive weight. In the past, the assumption was made that the sinuses were also responsible for voice formation, but this thesis has been refuted by various experiments.
The most important functions of the frontal sinus include moistening, warming and cleaning the breathing air. When air is inhaled, it flows through the frontal or sinus cavities. In the course of this, microorganisms and foreign bodies very often penetrate. However, the frontal sinus is lined with a ciliated epithelium, which consists of different cells and glands.
The goblet cells produce mucus, which is then released to the surface. The further transport of the mucus takes place with the help of the kinocilia, whereby the microorganisms and foreign bodies can subsequently also be removed from the respiratory tract. They go down the throat with the mucus and drain away. This mechanism is also known as mucocillar clearance (MCC).
In addition, the breathing air is heated to body temperature with the help of the frontal sinus. Therefore, in cold temperatures, you should always breathe through your nose so that the cold air does not flow into your lungs. Furthermore, the constant release of mucus increases the humidity in the frontal sinus. If the breath is too dry, the mucous membranes become irritated and infections are triggered.
Diseases
- Osteom
A very common disease of the frontal sinus is frontal sinusitis. It occurs both acutely and chronically, with very often not only the frontal sinus but also the paranasal sinuses being affected. Acute sinusitis is usually triggered by a cold , which spreads the inflammation to the frontal sinus.
Other causes include chronic ventilation disorders, swimming pool visits or allergies. The pathogens are very often viruses or bacteria , and in some cases also fungi .
The mucous membrane swells, which subsequently can no longer fulfill its function. This causes mucus or pus to accumulate. Because the frontal sinus is clogged, mucus cannot drain properly, creating pressure that manifests itself as a headache .
If the upper body bends and then a pressing headache occurs, this is an indication of an inflammation of the frontal sinus. Other typical symptoms that occur as part of the inflammation are:
- thick secretions
In chronic frontal sinusitis, this inflammation recurs constantly, but in an acute form it occurs only for a short time. In some people, the frontal sinus is not sufficiently developed, so that inflammation occurs more often.
Occasionally, so-called osteomas also occur in the frontal sinus. These are benign bone tumors that grow very slowly and consist of new bone formation.
A fracture of the frontal sinus can also occur. If the posterior wall is involved, there is a risk that an infection will occur inside the skull or that a liquor fistula will form.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.