Home > Encyclopedia of Children's Health > Sinusitis

Definition

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinuses, which are airspaces within the bones of the face. Sinusitis is most often due to an infection within these spaces.

Description

The sinuses are paired air pockets located within the bones of the face. There are:

• the frontal sinuses, located above the eyes, in the center region of each eyebrow
• the maxillary sinuses, located within the cheekbones, just to either side of the nose
• the ethmoid sinuses, located between the eyes, just behind the bridge of the nose
• the sphenoid sinuses, located just behind the ethmoid sinuses, and behind the eyes.

The sinuses are connected with the nose. They are lined with the same kind of skin found elsewhere within the respiratory tract. This skin has...