Prevalence of Frontal Sinus Agenesis in Chachapoyan Mummies

摘要

Paranasal sinus agenesis, or absence, is an uncommon medical condition that appears most often in the frontal sinuses. The frontal sinuses comprise 2 irregularly shaped cavities behind the brow ridges separated by a bony septum (see Figure l). Each sinus develops independently, which can result in substantial irregularity among individuals in regard to size and shape. Frontal sinuses are larger in men than in women, and the average volume of the frontal sinus is 6 mL to 7 mL. The frontal sinuses are absent at birth and begin to form in the early months of life, reaching mature proportions after puberty. Frontal sinuses have been attributed to many purposes, including: ■ warming air that is breathed through the nostrils■ reducing the weight of the skull■ increasing vocal resonance■ contributing to olfactory function■ assisting in facial growth