MAXILLARY

SINUS
 AIR SINUSES
--Maxillary

--Frontal

--Ethmoidal
Definition
• It is the largest bilateral air sinus

• It occupies most of the body of the maxilla

• It is also called Antrum of Higmore

Development
• Beginning of development at 3-4 M.I.U.
• At birth it measures 8x4x6 mm.
• It increases in size by pneumatization. The full size is
reached when the permanent dentition is fully erupted.
• Adult sinus measures 34 mm anteroposteriorly, 33 mm in
height, and 23 mm in width.
• Total Capacity :15 ml.
Pneumatization is a process of bone remodeling
where bone resorption takes place in the maxillary
sinus internal walls and bone deposition on the outer
surface of maxilla. This process results from air
inspiration.
Anatomy
It can be described as a four sided pyramid

The apex extends laterally into the zygomatic process of

the maxilla.
The base is related to the nasal cavity.
The upper wall (roof) is the floor of the orbit.
The posterior wall is formed by the infra-temporal surface
of the maxilla.
Anteriorly the sinus extends to the facial surface of the
body of the maxilla (region of the bicuspid or cuspid
teeth).
The floor of the sinus forms the base of the alveolar
process.
Relation between sinus floor and
nasal cavity:
1-At a higher level

2- Same level or

3- At a lower level
Drainage of the sinus:
• Opens into the nose by an
opening called Ostium
maxillare.

• This ostium is present in the

middle nasal meatus in a
recess called Hiatus
semilunaris.

• The inner surface of the sinus

has often bony septa that divide
it partially or completely into
several chambers
Related teeth:
• 6,7,5,4,8,3
 Extension into the alveolar process

1-A bony plate separate

the teeth from the sinus.
or

2-The sinus extends

between the roots with
bone in-between. The
extension of the sinus may
reach the extent that roots
covered only with soft
tissues
Histology
 Linning of the sinus
Histology
The maxillary sinus is lined by a thin delicate mucous
membrane which is typical to the lining of the
respiratory tract and is continuous with the nasal mucosa.
The lining mucoperiosteum is formed of three layers:

Pseudostratified columnar ciliated epithelium

-
with goblet cells
-basement membrane
-lamina propria and

periosteum.
Cilia is necessary for the drainage of the sinus
due to high position of its ostium opening. Cilia
works automatically.
Secretions in the sinus
• 1-mixed glands (maxillary subepithelial glands)
serous secretion
mucous secretion

• 2- goblet cells mucous secretion

Apocrine secretory cells

 Function
1-Warming and moistening of the inhaled air

2-Vocalization and phonation

3-Lightens the weight of skull

4-Bactericidal lysozyme secretion

5-Enhances resistance to mechanical shock

Clinical
Aspects
1-Periapical infection of related teeth

2-Disease of the sinus mucous membrane

3-Sinus damage during surgery

4-Perforation of the sinus

 Samples of Questions
A- Choose the right answer:
1- The secretion in the maxillary sinus is:
a- Mixed that results from goblet cells and mixed salivary acini in the lamina propria of the sinus
lining.
b- Mixed that results from goblet cells only.
c- Serous that results from serous salivary acini in the lamina propria of the sinus lining.
d- Serous that results from goblet cells.

B- Write the scientific term:

Name of the maxillary sinus opening (Ostium Maxillare)