Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 4 complete abstracts (850 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
Air-filled spaces located within the bones around the nasal cavity. They are extensions of the nasal cavity and lined by the ciliated nasal mucosa. Each sinus is named for the cranial bone in which it is located, such as the ethmoid sinus; the frontal sinus; the maxillary sinus; and the sphenoid sinus.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Nasal Sinuses; Sinuses, Nasal; Sinonasal Tract; Sinonasal Tracts; Tract, Sinonasal; Ostiomeatal Complex; Ostiomeatal Complices; Ostiomeatal Unit.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Nose
- Narrower topics
- Ethmoid Sinus; Frontal Sinus; Maxillary Sinus; Sphenoid Sinus
Related concepts
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 29,843 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Paranasal Sinuses” (counts retrieved 2026-10-31). 3,702 of them (12.4%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is through 1999 with 14,276 records.
Reviews account for 2,403 records (8.1%) and meta-analyses for 186. Randomized controlled trials number 569 (1.9%) as a share of all records on the topic. Randomized trials make up only a small share of this literature, so much of what is known comes from laboratory, observational or descriptive work.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 14,276 |
| 2000-2009 | 4,966 |
| 2010-2019 | 6,899 |
| 2020 onward | 3,702 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 2,403 | 8.1% |
| Meta-analyses | 186 | 0.6% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 569 | 1.9% |
Method: PubMed query "Paranasal Sinuses"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-10-31.
Reading the evidence in anatomy and physiology
Anatomy describes how body structures are built and physiology describes how they normally work, so most findings here are descriptive or mechanistic rather than evidence about treatment. Much of what is known comes from dissection, imaging, tissue studies and experiments in animals, and measurements in healthy volunteers can differ from those in people with disease or at different ages. Normal ranges vary between individuals and populations. Check whether a result was measured in people or in another species, the age and health of the participants, and the method used.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maxillary sinus membrane perforation rate utilizing osseodensification-mediated transcrestal sinus floor elevation: A multicenter clinical study | 2024 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 20 | cc by PMID 39187444 · DOI · PMC11660531 |
| Chronic Rhinosinusitis-Microbiological Etiology, Potential Genetic Markers, and Diagnosis | 2024 | Review article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 16 | cc by PMID 38542175 · DOI · PMC10970433 |
| Anatomy of Maxillary Sinus: Focus on Vascularization and Underwood Septa via 3D Imaging | 2024 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 12 | cc by PMID 38668392 · DOI · PMC11054790 |
| Osseodensification technique in crestal maxillary sinus elevation-A narrative review | 2025 | Review article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 10 | cc by PMID 39350694 · DOI · PMC11739684 |
Maxillary sinus membrane perforation rate utilizing osseodensification-mediated transcrestal sinus floor elevation: A multicenter clinical study [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- PurposeThis multicenter cross-sectional clinical study aimed to evaluate the membrane perforation rate during transcrestal sinus floor elevation (TSFE) using osseodensification (OD) burs and assess risk factors associated with the procedure.
- Closing excerpt
- Challenging scenarios of severe posterior maxillary atrophy presented as risk factors for increased perforation rate.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (269 words)
PurposeThis multicenter cross-sectional clinical study aimed to evaluate the membrane perforation rate during transcrestal sinus floor elevation (TSFE) using osseodensification (OD) burs and assess risk factors associated with the procedure.Materials and methodsThis study was conducted in six centers, following ethical standards and approved by local committees. It included patients over 18 years old missing maxillary posterior teeth with crestal residual bone height (RBH) ≥2 and ≤6 mm. Preoperative evaluations were done, including CBCT scans, to assess bone dimensions and sinus health. All centers and surgeons followed a standardized surgical protocol for TSFE using OD burs. Surgical complications, particularly sinus membrane perforations, were recorded and analyzed. Factors such as implant site, premolars or molars, as well as, healed or fresh socket, along with initial RBH were evaluated for their impact on membrane perforation rate. Descriptive statistics, χ2, and logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the data.ResultsA total of 621 subjects with an average age of 57.9 years were included. Sinus lifting was performed at 670 sites, with 621 implants placed in the maxilla. The majority of sinus lifts were done in the molar region (76.87%) and in healed bone sites (74.33%). The average RBH was 5.1 mm (ranging from 2 to 7 mm). Sinus membrane perforation occurred in 49 cases (7.31%). RBH ≤3 mm posed a risk factor for sinus membrane perforations followed by RBH >3 and ≤5 mm. Tooth region and implant site were not associated as risk factors for sinus membrane perforation.ConclusionOD drilling used for TSFE resulted in low membrane perforation rate. Challenging scenarios of severe posterior maxillary atrophy presented as risk factors for increased perforation rate.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 39187444 · DOI · PMC11660531
Chronic Rhinosinusitis-Microbiological Etiology, Potential Genetic Markers, and Diagnosis [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a significant public health problem.
- Closing excerpt
- This report analyzes the changes that occur in the paranasal sinuses of people with acute and chronic rhinosinusitis, the composition of the microbiota, the human genetic markers that may shed light on the predisposition to CRS, and the advantages and disadvantages of classical and molecular diagnostic methods, as well as addressing the difficulties of sinusitis treatment.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (154 words)
Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a significant public health problem. Bacterial colonization and impaired mucociliary clearance play a significant role in the inflammatory process. Several inflammatory pathways and host defense elements are altered in CRS, which may contribute to observed differences in the microbiome. To date, researching CRS has been difficult due to limited access to the studied tissue and a lack of available biomarkers. Ongoing scientific research is increasingly based on simple and objective analytical methods, including sensors, detection with PCR, and sequencing. Future research on microbiota and human factors should also include genomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics approaches. This report analyzes the changes that occur in the paranasal sinuses of people with acute and chronic rhinosinusitis, the composition of the microbiota, the human genetic markers that may shed light on the predisposition to CRS, and the advantages and disadvantages of classical and molecular diagnostic methods, as well as addressing the difficulties of sinusitis treatment.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 38542175 · DOI · PMC10970433
Anatomy of Maxillary Sinus: Focus on Vascularization and Underwood Septa via 3D Imaging [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- The study of the maxillary sinus anatomy should consider the presence of two features of clinical importance.
- Closing excerpt
- The findings add to the current understanding of the clinical structure of the maxillary sinus, equipping medical professionals with vital details for surgical preparation and prevention of possible complications.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (245 words)
The study of the maxillary sinus anatomy should consider the presence of two features of clinical importance. The arterial supply course and the presence of the so-called Underwood septa are two important factors to consider when planning surgical treatment to reduce the risk of surgical complications such as excessive bleeding and Schneiderian membrane perforations. This study aimed to investigate the above-mentioned anatomical structures to improve the management of eventual vascular and surgical complications in this area. This study included a total of 200 cone-beam computed topographies (CBCTs) divided into two groups of 100 CBCTs to evaluate the arterial supply (AAa) course through the lateral sinus wall and Underwood's septa, respectively. The main parameters considered on 3D imaging were the presence of the AAa in the antral wall, the length of the arterial pathway, the height of the maxillary bone crest, the branch sizes of the artery in the first group, and the position of the septa, the length of the septa, and their gender associations in the second group. The CBCT analysis showed the presence of the arterial supply through the bone wall in 100% of the examined patients, with an average size of 1.07 mm. With regard to the septa, 19% of patients presented variations, and no gender difference was found to be statistically significant. The findings add to the current understanding of the clinical structure of the maxillary sinus, equipping medical professionals with vital details for surgical preparation and prevention of possible complications.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 38668392 · DOI · PMC11054790
Osseodensification technique in crestal maxillary sinus elevation-A narrative review [4]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Osseodensification is a novel approach that has significantly advanced the field of implant dentistry, particularly in the context of transcrestal maxillary sinus floor elevation.
- Closing excerpt
- The potential for osseodensification to become a standard practice in sinus floor augmentation is emphasized, highlighting key aspects such as surgical protocol and patient selection.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (182 words)
Osseodensification is a novel approach that has significantly advanced the field of implant dentistry, particularly in the context of transcrestal maxillary sinus floor elevation. This technique involves the use of specially designed burs that compact and densify bone along the osteotomy walls, thereby enhancing implant primary stability and facilitating osseointegration in low-density bone. This article reviews the historical evolution of implant site preparation, and the biomechanical, histological, and clinical evidence of osseodensification with a special focus on its application in sinus floor augmentation. The integration of this technique into contemporary practice represents a paradigm shift, offering a minimally invasive and efficient solution for addressing the challenges of posterior maxilla, with improved patient-reported outcomes and low complication rate. Three different protocols for sinus lift and implant placement using osseodensification burs are proposed based on available literature, and risk factors for Schneiderian membrane perforation based on residual bone height are discussed, along with implant-related outcomes and patient-reported outcome measures. The potential for osseodensification to become a standard practice in sinus floor augmentation is emphasized, highlighting key aspects such as surgical protocol and patient selection.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 39350694 · DOI · PMC11739684
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article The maxillary sinus: physiology, development and imaging anatomy [5]
- Research article The contemporary management of cancers of the sinonasal tract in adults [6]
- Research article Update from the 5th Edition of the World Health Organization Classification of Head and Neck Tumors: Nasal Cavity, Paranasal Sinuses and Skull Base [7]
- Research article Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis [8]
- Research article Hypertonic Saline Versus Isotonic Saline Nasal Irrigation: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis [9]
- Research article Pediatric paranasal sinuses-Development, growth, pathology, & functional endoscopic sinus surgery [10]
References
- Mazor Z, Gaspar J, Silva R, Pohl S, Gandhi Y, Huwais S, et al.. Maxillary sinus membrane perforation rate utilizing osseodensification-mediated transcrestal sinus floor elevation: A multicenter clinical study. . 2024. PMID 39187444 · DOI · PMC11660531
- Michalik M, Krawczyk B. Chronic Rhinosinusitis-Microbiological Etiology, Potential Genetic Markers, and Diagnosis. . 2024. PMID 38542175 · DOI · PMC10970433
- Bernardi S, Bianchi S, Gerardi D, Petrelli P, Rinaldi F, Piattelli M, et al.. Anatomy of Maxillary Sinus: Focus on Vascularization and Underwood Septa via 3D Imaging. . 2024. PMID 38668392 · DOI · PMC11054790
- Gaspar J, Mazor Z, Bonfante EA. Osseodensification technique in crestal maxillary sinus elevation-A narrative review. . 2025. PMID 39350694 · DOI · PMC11739684
- Whyte A, Boeddinghaus R. The maxillary sinus: physiology, development and imaging anatomy. Dentomaxillofac Radiol. 2019. PMID 31386556 · DOI · PMC6951102
- Thawani R, Kim MS, Arastu A, Feng Z, West MT, Taflin NF, et al.. The contemporary management of cancers of the sinonasal tract in adults. CA Cancer J Clin. 2023. PMID 35916666 · DOI · PMC9840681
- Thompson LDR, Bishop JA. Update from the 5th Edition of the World Health Organization Classification of Head and Neck Tumors: Nasal Cavity, Paranasal Sinuses and Skull Base. Head Neck Pathol. 2022. PMID 35312976 · DOI · PMC9018924
- Dykewicz MS, Rodrigues JM, Slavin RG. Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2018. PMID 30080526 · DOI
- Kanjanawasee D, Seresirikachorn K, Chitsuthipakorn W, Snidvongs K. Hypertonic Saline Versus Isotonic Saline Nasal Irrigation: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Am J Rhinol Allergy. 2018. PMID 29774747 · DOI
- Lee S, Fernandez J, Mirjalili SA, Kirkpatrick J. Pediatric paranasal sinuses-Development, growth, pathology, & functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Clin Anat. 2022. PMID 35437820 · DOI · PMC9544638
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-10-31; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-10-31.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.