The middle meatus is an air passage of the lateral nasal cavity located between the middle nasal concha and lateral nasal wall. The anterior ethmoid air cells, maxillary and frontal sinuses all drain into the middle meatus.

Which sinuses drain into the superior meatus of the Ostiomeatal complex?

The posterior ethmoid and sphenoid sinuses drain into the superior meatus below the superior turbinate. The ostia of the maxillary, anterior ethmoid, and frontal sinuses share a common site of drainage within the middle meatus. This region is called the ostiomeatal complex and can be visualized by coronal CT scan.

What duct drains into the nasal cavity?

The nasolacrimal duct (also called the tear duct) carries tears from the lacrimal sac of the eye into the nasal cavity.

What does the superior nasal meatus communicate with?

Finally, there is the olfactory region, a small area located inside the skull at the superior apex of the cavity, which is lined with olfactory cells and receptors (3rd floor). The two nasal cavities communicate with four bony recesses called the paranasal sinuses.

What opens into the superior meatus?

The superior meatus, the smallest of the three meatuses of the nose, occupies the middle third of the lateral wall of the nasal cavity. It lies between the superior nasal conchæ and middle nasal conchæ; the sphenopalatine foramen opens into it behind, and the posterior ethmoidal cells in front.

Which sinus drains into inferior meatus?

Below the bulla ethmoidalis and hidden by the uncinate process of the ethmoid is the opening of the maxillary sinus (ostium maxillare); an accessory opening is frequently present above the posterior part of the inferior nasal concha. The inferior meatus is the largest of the three.

Where does the maxillary sinus drain into?

The maxillary sinus drains into the nose through a hole called the ostia. When the ostia becomes clogged, sinusitis can occur. The ostia of the maxillary sinus often clog because the ostia are located near the top of the maxillary sinus, thus making proper drainage difficult.

How do paranasal sinuses drain?

1. Lay back with a warm compress draped across your nose, cheeks, and forehead for three minutes.
2. Remove the warm compress and replace it with a cold compress for 30 seconds.
3. Do this two to three times.

Where do Parasinuses drain?

The paranasal sinuses are divided per their drainage systems into anterior sinuses group (maxillary, anterior ethmoid, and frontal sinuses) which drains into the middle meatus through the anterior ostiomeatal unit.

What drains into the Sphenoethmoidal recess?

The sphenoethmoidal recess drains the posterior ethmoid air cells and sphenoid sinuses into the superior meatus of the nasal cavity.

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What is the function of the nasal meatus?

The middle meatus is the nasal passageway that lies between the inferior meatus and the middle meatus. This space is important for: Drainage of three of the paranasal sinuses; the maxillary, frontal, and front (anterior) ethmoid sinuses. Airflow through the paranasal sinuses which creates the tones of our voices.

How do tears drain into nasal cavity?

The puncta lead to small canals (canaliculi) that move tears to a sac to a reservoir on the side of the nose (lacrimal sac). From there tears travel down a duct (the nasolacrimal duct) and drain into your nose. Once in the nose, tears are reabsorbed.

Why do tears drain into the nasal cavity?

The nasolacrimal duct passes through the bony structures surrounding your nose and empties tears into the nasal cavity. With each blink, the eyelids push tears evenly across the eyeballs to keep them moist and healthy. Blinking also helps get old tears into the lacrimal drain system.

Where does the lacrimal sac drain?

Tears leave the eye through small openings called puncta in the inner corner of the eye and flow into the lacrimal, or tear, sac, from which they drain through a duct—the nasolacrimal duct—into the nasal cavity.

What is an ethmoid bulla?

The ethmoid bulla is the largest anterior ethmoid air cell. It is also one of the most consistent air cells in the middle meatus and is therefore a reliable anatomic landmark (Fig. 2.13). It often lacks a posterior wall, which is why it is not called a cell but rather a bony lamella with a large airspace behind it.

What are Conchae?

The conchae are structures made of bone inside of your nose. They help control the airflow into your nose. They also clean and warm air that you’ve inhaled so that it’s ready to go to your lungs for respiration. Respiration is the process of breathing in and out.

Which is the lining epithelium of maxillary sinus?

The nose and sinuses are lined by a pseudostratified columnar ciliated (i.e. respiratory) epithelium with numerous goblet cells supported by a vascular lamina propria containing serous and mucous glands and numerous thin-walled venules.

Which cranial nerve is located in the superior meatus?

The divisions of the trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V). Ophthalmic nerve (V1)—sensory, from the orbital structures, cornea, nasal cavity, forehead skin, supper eyelid, eyebrow, and part of the nose; passing through the superior orbital fissure.

How do you drain ethmoid and sphenoid sinuses?

1. Place your index fingers on the bridge of your nose.
2. Find the area between your nasal bone and the corner of the eyes.
3. Hold a firm pressure in that spot with your fingers for about 15 seconds.
4. Then, using your index fingers, stroke downward along the side of the bridge of your nose.

Which sinus drains into the hiatus semilunaris?

The hiatus semilunaris (or semilunar hiatus) is a crescent-shaped groove in the lateral wall of the nasal cavity just inferior to the ethmoidal bulla. It is the location of the openings for the frontal sinus, maxillary sinus, and anterior ethmoidal sinus.

Where does the middle ethmoidal sinus drain into?

The ethmoid sinus is composed of many thin-walled air cells, some of which may extend anteriorly between the lacrimal sac and the nasal mucosa. You commonly encounter a few of these cells during a DCR. As we said above, the anterior and middle air cells of the sinus drain into the middle meatus of the nose.

How do ethmoid sinuses drain?

The posterior group the posterior ethmoidal sinus drains into the superior meatus above the middle nasal concha; sometimes one or more opens into the sphenoidal sinus. The anterior group the anterior ethmoidal sinus drains into the middle meatus of the nose by way of the infundibulum.

What is posterior to the nasal cavity?

The nasal cavity communicates anteriorly through the nostrils and posteriorly with the nasopharynx through openings called choanae. … The nasal cavity receives innervation via branches of the olfactory [cranial nerve (CN) I], ophthalmic (CN V-1), and maxillary nerves (CN V-2).

Which sinus opens into Sphenoethmoidal recesses?

The sphenoid sinus ( Fig. 44.8 ) is the most posterior paranasal sinus. Its natural ostium opens into the sphenoethmoidal recess (SER). This recess lies medial and posterior to the superior turbinate, anterior to the anterior wall of the sphenoid, and medial to the nasal septum.

What does sinus drainage pathways are patent mean?

We used the term ‘patent’ when the size of the ostium was at least 5 mm and it was possible to have access to the frontal sinus per se. In some cases, polyps obstructed the ostium.

Where do anterior ethmoidal cells drain?

The anterior ethmoidal air cells drain to the hiatus semilunaris and middle meatus via the ethmoid bulla, which forms parts of the ostiomeatal complex.

What is the function of nasal meatus quizlet?

Nasal conchae are curved shelves of bone that project out of the lateral walls of the nasal cavity that create four pathways (meatuses) for air to flow. Their main function is to increase the surface area of the nasal cavity.

Can eye drops drain into nose?

To reduce adverse effects: if you do not close your eye properly after using eye drops, some of the fluid may leak into your nose and throat. Here it could cross the mucous membranes and be absorbed into your body. This is more likely to lead to adverse effects than if the drops stay in your eye.

What is nasal cavity?

The space inside the nose. The nasal cavity lies above the bone that forms the roof of the mouth and curves down at the back to join the throat. It is divided into two sections called nasal passages. … The nasal passages filter and warm the air, and make it moist before it goes into the lungs.

How do you drain a tear duct?

In this procedure, the doctor threads a tiny tube through the holes, or puncta, in the corners of the eyes. The tube passes through each tear duct to the inside of the nose. The procedure takes about an hour. The tubes stay in place for three to six months to open up the ducts and let tears drain.

Do your eyes drain into your throat?

From the lacrimal sac, tears drain via the inferior turbinate and ultimately down the throat. It’s not uncommon for patients to associate some eye drop medications with a noticeable taste as the diluted drops travel this route. The funnels of nasolacrimal drainage are the puncta.