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middle nasal meatus

middle meatus

The middle meatus is a nasal opening or canal situated between the middle and inferior conchae, and extends from the anterior to the posterior end of the latter. The lateral wall of this meatus can be satisfactorily studied only after the removal of the middle concha. On it is a curved fissure, the hiatus semilunaris, limited below by the edge of the uncinate process of the ethmoid and above by an elevation named the bulla ethmoidalis; the middle ethmoidal cells are contained within this bulla and open on or near to it. Through the hiatus semilunaris the meatus communicates with a curved passage termed the infundibulum, which communicates in front with the anterior ethmoidal cells and in rather more than fifty percent of skulls is continued upward as the frontonasal duct into the frontal air-sinus; when this continuity fails, the frontonasal duct opens directly into the anterior part of the meatus. Below the bulla ethmoidalis and hidden by the uncinate process of the ethmoid is the opening of the maxillary sinus (ostium maxillare); an accessory opening is frequently present above the posterior part of the inferior nasal concha.

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유형 Vessel
상위 구조물 nasal meatus
라틴어 명칭 middle meatus
FMA ID 53139

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the middle nasal meatus?

The middle nasal meatus is the passage in the nasal cavity located between the middle nasal concha (turbinate) superiorly and the inferior nasal concha inferiorly. It is the most clinically important meatus due to the drainage openings it contains.

What opens into the middle nasal meatus?

The middle nasal meatus receives drainage from the frontal sinus, the anterior ethmoid air cells, and the maxillary sinus. The key structures are the hiatus semilunaris (a crescent-shaped opening) and the infundibulum.

What is the hiatus semilunaris?

The hiatus semilunaris is a crescent-shaped groove in the lateral wall of the middle nasal meatus, bounded below by the uncinate process and above by the ethmoidal bulla. It is the opening through which the frontal and maxillary sinuses drain via the ethmoid infundibulum.

What is the ostiomeatal complex?

The ostiomeatal complex refers to the functional unit comprising the middle meatus, hiatus semilunaris, ethmoid infundibulum, and the openings of the frontal, anterior ethmoid, and maxillary sinuses. It is the key drainage pathway for the anterior paranasal sinuses.

Why is the middle nasal meatus clinically important?

Obstruction of the middle nasal meatus—by anatomical variants, polyps, or inflammation—can block sinus drainage, predisposing to recurrent sinusitis. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) targets this area to restore drainage and ventilation.

References

  1. Foundational Model of Anatomy — FMA:53139 Reference anatomy ontology (University of Washington)
  2. UBERON — UBERON:0015219 Cross-species anatomy ontology (EMBL-EBI Ontology Lookup Service)

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Educational Disclaimer

This content is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical decisions.

Data sources: Terminologia Anatomica, Foundational Model of Anatomy, Wikidata.