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The sphenoid sinus is a paired paranasal sinus in the body of the sphenoid bone. It is one pair of the four paired paranasal sinuses.Illustrated Anatomy of the Head and Neck, Fehrenbach and Herring, Elsevier, 2012, page 64 The two sphenoid sinuses are separated from each other by a septum. Each sphenoid sinus communicates with the nasal cavity via the opening of sphenoidal sinus. (2025). 9780720676174 ISBN 9780720676174 The two sphenoid sinuses vary in size and shape, and are usually asymmetrical.
Each spehoid sinus is in the body of sphenoid bone, just under the sella turcica. The sphenoid sinuses are separated from each other medially by the septum of sphenoidal sinuses, which is usually asymmetrical.
An opening of sphenoidal sinus forms a passage between each sphenoidal sinus and the nasal cavity. Posteriorly, an opening of sphenoidal sinus opens into the sphenoidal sinus by an aperture high on the anterior wall the sinus; anteriorly, an opening of sphenoidal sinus opens into the roof of the nasal cavity via an aperture on the posterior wall of the sphenoethmoidal recess, just over the choana.Human Anatomy, Jacob, Elsevier, 2008, page 211
Postganglionic parasympathetic fibers of the facial nerve that at the pterygopalatine ganglion control mucus secretion.
When exceptionally large, the sphenoid sinuses may extend into the roots of the pterygoid processes or greater wings of sphenoid bone, and may invade the basilar part of the occipital bone.
The septum of the sphenoidal sinuses may be partly or completely absent. Other septa also may be incomplete.
A potential complication of sphenoidal sinusitis is cavernous sinus thrombosis.
If a fast-growing tumor erodes the floor of the sphenoidal sinus, the vidian nerve may be in danger. If the tumor spreads laterally, the cavernous sinus and all its constituent nerves may be in danger.
Sphenoidotomy, a form of endonasal surgery, may be done to enlarge the sphenoid sinus, usually in order to drain it.
The sphenoid sinus should be distinguished from an Onodi cell, an anatomic variant that is the rearmost Ethmoid sinus. Onodi cells typically extend back to lie superolateral to the sphenoid sinus and thus near the optic nerve and internal carotid artery. Failure to recognize an Onodi cell on CT scan before surgery may put these structures at risk. One study found that an Onodi cell was present in 26.6% of males and 19.1% of females.
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