The =maxillary sinus= (Sinus maxillaris) is the largest. Its external
wall is formed by the maxilla, the lacrimal, and the malar. It is
bounded internally by the maxilla, the inferior turbinal, and the
lateral mass of the ethmoid bone. It extends backward to a transverse
plane in front of the root of the supraorbital process, and its anterior
limit is indicated approximately by a line drawn from the anterior end
of the facial crest to the infraorbital foramen. Its upper boundary
corresponds to a line drawn backward from the supraorbital foramen
parallel to the facial crest. The floor is formed by the alveolar part
of the maxilla; it is very irregular and is crossed by bony plates
running in various directions. The last three cheek teeth project up
into the cavity to an extent which varies with age; they are covered by
a thin plate of bone. The cavity is divided into anterior and posterior
parts by an oblique =septum=. The outer margin of the septum is commonly
about one and a half to two inches (ca. 3.5 to 5 cm.) from the anterior
end of the facial crest; from here it is directed inward, backward, and
upward. The upper part of the septum (formed by the posterior end of the
inferior turbinal bone) is very delicate and usually cribriform.
The position of the septum is quite variable. It is not rare to find
it further forward, and in some cases it is further back than is
stated above. In the recent state, _i. e._, when covered by the mucous
membrane on both surfaces, it is nearly always complete, but in very
exceptional cases there is an opening of variable size in the upper
part.
The =anterior compartment=, often called the =inferior maxillary sinus=,
is partially divided by the infraorbital canal into an external
maxillary part and an internal smaller turbinal part. The latter
communicates with the middle meatus by a very narrow slit situated at
its highest part. The =posterior compartment=, often called the
=superior maxillary sinus=, is also crossed by the infraorbital canal,
internal to which it opens freely into the sphenopalatine sinus. It
communicates dorsally with the frontal sinus through the large oval
=fronto-maxillary opening=, situated at the level of the osseous
lacrimal canal and the corresponding part of the inner wall of the
orbit; the orifice is commonly about one and a half to two inches (ca. 4
to 5 cm.) long and an inch or more (2 to 3 cm.) wide. Just in front of
this, and covered by a thin plate, is the narrow =naso-maxillary
fissure= (Aditus naso-maxillaris), by which the sinus opens into the
posterior part of the middle meatus.
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