Sinuses are the name given to the spaces in the head. The 4 pairs of sinuses are named according to the bones they are located between. The name of the sinus located on both sides of the nose, close to the cheekbones, is the maxillary sinus. There are frontal sinuses in the frontal bone, which forms the front part of the head. The sinuses on both sides of the nose, close to the eyes, are called ethmoid sinuses. The sinus located behind the eyes and in the inner part of the skull is the sphenoid sinus.
The inside of the sinuses is lined with respiratory tract cells and opens into the nasal cavity with its own channels. The functions of these structures include heating, humidifying, and trapping foreign particles in the inhaled air. It secretes mucus and prevents bacteria from multiplying by keeping them. Inflammation of the cell layer covering the sinuses is called sinusitis. In sinusitis, the opening of the sinuses into the nose becomes edematous and blocked. The reason for this may be both bacteria and viruses.
There are many factors that predispose to the occurrence of sinusitis. Factors related to the structure of the person's nose and sinuses and environmental factors play an important role. The most common cause of acute sinusitis is viruses, and these viruses, which usually cause colds, are largely responsible for the formation of sinusitis.
Sinusitis is more common in people with allergies than normal. Environmental factors such as air pollution, animal dander, cigarette smoke and dust are at the forefront in the development of sinusitis in these people. Allergies also cause the development of chronic sinusitis.
Deviation and nasal flesh growths that cause nasal congestion, some genetic diseases that affect the mucosa of the nose and sinuses (cystic fibrosis, etc.), and some diseases that disrupt the immune system are the causes of sinusitis. In addition, sinusitis may also develop in swimmers who have recent upper respiratory tract infections, smoking and tobacco use, who are constantly under water and whose sinus ventilation is affected. Polyps and tumors in the nose, foreign bodies, anatomical abnormalities in the nose and dental infections are among the other factors that cause sinusitis.
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