Skull & Cranial Anatomy
Sinus (paranasal)
A paranasal sinus is an air-filled space within the bones around the nose.
In short: Sinus (paranasal)
- Basal encephaloceles can protrude into the sphenoid or ethmoid sinuses.
- Sinuses surround the nasal cavity.
- They are relevant to endoscopic skull-base repair.
- They are part of the anatomy surgeons navigate during endonasal surgery.
What it is
It is an air-filled space within the facial and skull-base bones around the nose. The sphenoid and ethmoid sinuses are particularly relevant to basal encephaloceles.
Understanding Sinus (paranasal)
Because basal encephaloceles can extend into these spaces, the sinuses are part of the anatomy surgeons navigate during endoscopic endonasal repair. Reaching a skull-base encephalocele through the nose often involves passing through or near these sinuses, so their anatomy is part of surgical planning.
Why it matters
Understanding the paranasal sinuses helps families see how endoscopic repair reaches the skull base through the nose, and why basal encephaloceles can extend into these spaces.
Common questions
What are paranasal sinuses?
Air-filled spaces around the nose.
Which encephaloceles involve them?
Basal types into the sphenoid or ethmoid sinuses.
Why do they matter in surgery?
They are part of the route for endoscopic skull-base repair.
Bottom line
Paranasal sinuses are air spaces around the nose that basal encephaloceles can extend into.
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