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AnatomyHead and neckSkullFrontal sinus
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AnatomyHead and neckSkullFrontal sinus

Frontal sinus

Author: Danijel Tosovic, PhD • Reviewer: Dimitrios Mytilinaios, MD, PhD
Last reviewed: October 30, 2023
Reading time: 2 minutes

Recommended video: Midsagittal skull [28:03]
Structures seen on the midsagittal section of the skull.
Frontal sinus
Sinus frontalis
1/10
Synonyms: Frontal paranasal sinus, Sinus paranasalis frontalis

The frontal sinuses are paired air-filled cavities in frontal bone of the skull and one of the four different paranasal sinuses, along with the maxillary sinus, sphenoidal sinus and ethmoidal air cells. They are the most superior of these sinuses and typically appear triangular-shaped. The frontal sinus, like the other paranasal sinuses, is lined by a respiratory mucus membrane which produces a film of mucous. Drainage of the sinus to the nasal cavity is via the frontonasal duct, opening into nasal cavity either at the anterior part of the middle meatus by the ethmoidal infundibulum or medial to the hiatus semilunaris.

The frontal sinus has several potential functions. The mucosal lining helps to warm and humidify inhaled air entering from the nasal cavity, whilst its presence as a hollow space in the frontal bone lightens the mass of the skull, allowing the muscles that move the head and neck to work more efficiently. Paranasal sinuses are also thought to enhance the resonance of speech. 

Terminology English: Frontal sinus
Latin: Sinus frontalis
Location Paired sinuses in the frontal bone, deep to the superciliary arches
Function Warm and humidify air, lighten skull, enhance speech resonance

Learn more about the nasal cavity with this study unit:

Nasal cavity Explore study unit

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.

Marieb, E., & Hoehn, K. (2022). Human Anatomy and Physiology, Global Edition. (12th ed.). Pearson Education, Limited.

Sinnatamby, Chummy S. Last's Anatomy E-Book: Last's Anatomy E-Book, Elsevier Health Sciences, 2011.

Standring, S., Anand, N., & Tunstall, R. (2021). Gray's anatomy: the anatomical basis of clinical practice (Forty-second edition). Elsevier.

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