Sinus & Nasal Disorders
The sinuses (also called paranasal sinuses) are hollow air-filled areas within your skull. They connect the space between the nostrils and nasal passage. Sinuses act like balloons, reducing your skull’s weight, allowing you to keep your head upright. They also regulate skull temperature and allow the voice to resonate.
Sinuses are found in the following four pairs:
- Frontal sinuses (in the forehead)
- Maxillary sinuses (behind the cheek bones)
- Ethmoid sinuses (between the eyes)
- Sphenoid sinuses (behind the eyes)
The sinuses contain defenses against germs. When you get sick and mucous begins to fill up the sinuses, bacteria may begin to grow. Once the bacteria begin to grow, it may stick to the lining of the sinuses and cause a sinus infection.
The nose is the organ that smells and regulates taste. The nostrils are separated by a thin piece of cartilage and bone called the septum.
Our experts at MedStar Washington Hospital Center offer specialized care in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and conditions affecting the sinuses and nose. More common disorders may include: