Abstract
The frontal sinuses are cranial areas of clinical, forensic and pathology importance whose development mechanisms are still poorly defined. Nasal airflow and brain development are two of the main theories. Current analysis debates whether they are the real determinants of frontal sinuses growth, which may be proved by the skull's morphometric analysis. Four groups of measures related to the external cranial architecture, the pyriform aperture, orbital cavities and frontal sinuses were defined. Thirty-three skulls of individuals, mean age 68 years, from the Laboratory of Anatomy of the Academic Centre of Victoria - UFPE - Brazil, were used. Statistical analysis showed total agenesis of the frontal sinus in 18.2% of the skulls. There was significant correlation between the development of the right frontal sinus and the pyriform aperture, and between the left frontal sinus and two cranial measurements (p ≤ 0.05). Significant differences between mean of pyriform aperture areas of the skulls with or without sinuses were also reported (p ≤ 0.01). Results supported the fact that there was a modulation activity by nasal aeration and brain formation in the development of frontal sinuses.
Highlights
Frontal sinuses are part of the paranasal sinuses, or rather, pneumatic chambers located in some bones of the viscerocranium that develop as extensions of the nasal cavity’s respiratory section (GRAFF; MARSHALL, 2003)
There was no significant correlation of the area with the left frontal sinuses; the same occurred with groups 3 and 4
There was no significant correlation between the volume of the frontal sinuses and the face’s maximum width of the face in tests on groups 1 and 4
Summary
Frontal sinuses are part of the paranasal sinuses, or rather, pneumatic chambers located in some bones of the viscerocranium that develop as extensions of the nasal cavity’s respiratory section (GRAFF; MARSHALL, 2003). These front chambers are located in the frontal bone at the glabella level, frequently extending to the supraorbital arches. They are generally asymmetrical and separated by a septum shifted from the median plane. Due to the cranium and mid-facial region growth, a further development of the paranasal sinuses occurs, including the frontalis bone. Frontal sinuses formation starts at two years old, but its pneumatization occurs only around 6-7 years old, Maringá, v. 35, n. 2, p. 273-276, Apr.-June, 2013
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