Surgical anatomy of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses.

The oral cavity and its bony components (maxilla and mandible), along with the nose and its related sinuses, constitute most of the face. Because of their proximity, disease in one may affect the other, whereas trauma of the midface will involve bones common to the oral cavity, nose, and paranasal sinuses. The two serve important life-supporting functions, being the portals for nutrition and respiration. The paranasal sinuses are pneumatic cavities lined by mucous membrane and communicate directly with the nasal cavity. This article presents a brief but relevant view of the surgical anatomy of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses.