What are the 4 Spaces in a Sinus Cavity?
You probably don’t think about your sinuses until you get a sinus infection (sinusitis). Pain, soreness, pressure and other symptoms can affect different areas of your face because there are actually 4 different areas of your sinuses. These hollow spaces are called the paranasal sinuses. The image below shows the names of these areas and where they are located:
Sinuses are located:
1. On the lower part of your forehead, between your eyes: Frontal Sinuses
2. Between your eyes, at the top of your nose: Ethmoid Sinuses
3. In your cheekbones, near your nose: Maxillary Sinuses
4. Behind your nose, between the eyes: Sphenoid Sinuses
As a result, sinus pain and pressure can be felt in your forehead, between your eyes, in your cheekbones and behind your nose.
With every breath you take, air moves through your sinuses and nasal passages. Each sinus area is lined with mucous membranes that produce mucus to keep your nasal passages lubricated and clear of foreign debris, bacteria and viruses. Cilia in the sinuses move debris into the nasal cavity so it can be expelled. Sometimes the mucous membranes become inflamed which can lead to an infection. This can happen if you have a cold, allergies, obstruction in your nasal ducts, nasal polyps or other health reasons. In addition to the sinusitis symptoms listed above, you can also experience a fever, post nasal drip, bad breath, excessive mucus, sore throat, cough, hoarse voice, stuffy nose or even an ear infection.
Sinus Infection Treatment in Phoenix
The symptoms of sinus infections can often be minimized by using decongestants, antihistamines, saline nasal sprays, nasal steroids and pain relievers. However, bacterial infections may need antibiotics to treat the condition quicker and more effectively.
If you get sinus infections often (many times a year) and the discomfort lasts several months each time, it may be helpful to visit an ear, nose and throat specialist in Phoenix to discuss other treatment options. The sinus experts at the Phoenix Sinus Center can diagnose the root cause of your condition and offer treatment recommendations such as balloon sinuplasty as well as nasal polyp treatment and endoscopic surgery to help restore natural drainage and soothe the lining of your sinus cavities.
To learn more about sinus treatment options, contact the Phoenix Sinus Center by calling (602) 224-7924 or visiting our website.