Maxillary sinus

The maxillary sinus (Latin maxillary sinus, and sinus or antrum of Highmore Highmore, by Nathanial Highmore ) is a sinus, the invaginated in the upper jaw bone (maxilla ). In dogs, one speaks of a pine tree bay ( recess maxillary ), because the connection to the nasal cavity is very far and it does not extend between the bony plates of the upper jaw, but between different adjacent skull bones of this region. In the horse, the very large maxillary sinus is separated by the sinus septum (septum sinuum maxillarium ) into an anterior and a posterior division.

The maxillary sinus communicates with the middle meatus of the nose and jaw opening ( Apertura nasomaxillaris ) in conjunction. Through this opening, pathogens can spread from the nasal cavity to the maxillary sinus. On the floor of the maxillary sinus, the alveoli of the maxillary molars are separated only by a thin layer of bone of the maxillary sinus. In suppuration of the tooth roots may therefore result in a breakthrough in the antrum.

Through the maxillary sinus takes place in a confined bony canal of the infraorbital nerve.

Diseases

• Inflammation of the maxillary sinus, see Sinusitis
• Accumulation of pus in the antrum, see empyema

In collections of pus or other morbid changes a surgical opening of the maxillary sinus from the outside may be necessary ( trepanation ).