The sinuses are natural cavities located in the thickness of the facial bones that surround the eyes, nose and cheeks. They have a pocket or valley shaped structure and act as a sounding board, amplifying sounds and voice; furthermore, these air-filled cavities (pneumatic spaces) increase the perception of odors and lighten the massive front, making the skull less heavy as a whole.
The paranasal sinuses are lined with respiratory mucosa, the same one that covers the nasal cavities, and in all there are 4 pairs:
- frontal sinuses: pair of small air cavities located in the frontal bone, above the orbits; each frontal sinus communicates with the middle meatus of the ipsilateral nasal cavity by means of the nasofrontal (or rhinofrontal) duct.
- maxillary sinuses: paranasal sinuses located, one on each side, in the upper bone thickness of the ipsilateral maxilla, just below the orbit (of which they determine the floor with their upper wall). Their lower wall maintains close relations with the dental roots, in particular with the first upper molar and the last premolars. They represent the widest air spaces between the various paranasal sinuses and communicate with the middle meatus of the ipsilateral nasal cavity through the natural ostium (drainage orifice)
- ethmoid sinuses and sphenoid sinuses: they include all the ethmoid and sphenoid cells, understood as pneumatic cavities dug into the thickness of the ethmoid bone and the sphenoid respectively.
There is a certain variability from person to person regarding the number of paranasal sinuses present, their shape and relative size, especially as regards the bones of the frontal and ethmoid sinuses.
Being connected with the nose, for example in the presence of a severe cold, the paranasal sinuses can become infected due to a "nasal infection. The" inflammation of the mucous membrane of the paranasal sinuses is called sinusitis, which usually has a " infectious or allergic origin. Sinusitis can be acute (generally on an infectious basis, with accumulation of pus and phlegm) or chronic (generally on an allergic basis or in any case consequent to successive relapses). They can be favored by diving, underwater swimming or from anatomical anomalies (such as deviations of the nasal septum) and appear with greater frequency in the colder months (they can still affect even in periods far from the winter ones).
When the free flow of air in the cavities is prevented by the accumulation of mucous and purulent secretions coming from the nose, an increase in pressure is generated inside the paranasal sinuses, which irritates the membranes, making them more susceptible to infections. The closure of the sinuses. paranasal sinuses can generate insomnia and impair concentration and memory skills; their infection also causes pain at the infected sinus (in the forehead above the nose, or at the height of the cheekbones above the canines), with fever and headache .
In addition to inflammatory diseases, the paranasal sinuses can also be affected by polyps and tumors of a tumor nature (benign tumors and malignant tumors).
Sinus radiography allows for indirect visualization by X-rays. It is performed when a "sinus disease, especially sinusitis, is suspected, and can be replaced by CT scan, which offers more detailed images. Alternatively, it is also possible." direct visualization possible with a fiber optic endoscope.
Remedies for sinusitis
Maintaining a correct environmental humidity and applying moist heat (hot compresses, hot showers rich in steam or fumigations) to inflamed and painful sinuses can give relief from sinusitis. Abundant body hydration is also important (drink plenty of water) , while it can help the consumption of hot drinks with inhalation of the vapors. Nasal washes are equally important, to be carried out once or twice a day with special solutions or by irrigating one nostril at a time with a solution of hot water (250 ml), salt (a teaspoon) and a pinch of bicarbonate. Finally, how can we forget the manipulation of painful sinuses, which if carried out following the right massage technique, can provide immediate relief from the disorder.
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