Evolution of the paranasal sinuses' anatomy through the ages

Anat Cell Biol. 2013 Dec;46(4):235-8. doi: 10.5115/acb.2013.46.4.235. Epub 2013 Dec 24.

Abstract

Previously, anatomists considered paranasal sinuses as a mysterious region of the human skull. Historically, paranasal sinuses were first identified by ancient Egyptians and later, by Greek physicians. After a long period of no remarkable improvement in the understanding of anatomy during the Middle Ages, anatomists of the Renaissance period-Leonardo da Vinci and Vesalius-made their own contribution. Nathaniel Highmore's name is also associated with the anatomy of paranasal sinuses as he was first to describe the maxillary sinus.

Keywords: Anatomy; History; Paranasal sinuses.

Publication types

  • Review