Prenatal Development of the Maxillary Sinus

Abstract

Knowledge of prenatal development of the maxillary sinus improves the perspective of the sinus surgeon and helps the understanding of postnatal anatomy, especially in children.

Clinical anatomy of the maxillary sinus: application to sinus floor augmentation

“…The MS begins to form during the 10th week of development. The mucosa located at the deeper anterior end of the ethmoid infundibulum presents invaginations toward the surrounding mesenchyme [2]. These invaginations fuse during the 11th week of development, giving rise to a single cavity representing the primordium of the MS [2].…”

“…The mucosa located at the deeper anterior end of the ethmoid infundibulum presents invaginations toward the surrounding mesenchyme [2]. These invaginations fuse during the 11th week of development, giving rise to a single cavity representing the primordium of the MS [2]. The primordial shape of the sinus is characterized as an oval cavity with smooth walls [2].…”

“…These invaginations fuse during the 11th week of development, giving rise to a single cavity representing the primordium of the MS [2]. The primordial shape of the sinus is characterized as an oval cavity with smooth walls [2]. Rapid growth of the MS has been observed during two periods of development: from the 17th to the 20th week and from the 25th to the 28th week.…”

“…Ossification of the sinus begins during the 16th week of development, beginning in the lateral wall of the sinus and spreading to the anterior wall by the 20th week, and to the posterior wall by the 21st week. The medial wall shows signs of ossification by the 37th week of development [2].…”

“…The ostium opens into the inferior part of the ethmoidal infundibulum, passing through the semilunar hiatus, then finally into the middle nasal meatus [3]. The ostium is elliptical-shaped throughout prenatal development and located in the anterior third of the ethmoidal infundibulum [2]. In adults, however, the ostium is located between the middle and posterior thirds of the ethmoidal infundibulum and tends to be positioned closer to the roof of the sinus than the floor [23].…”