Sinusitis Glossary Gaithersburg MD

The following information was sourced from Setliff Sinus Institute.

Adenoids:The tissue that sits in the back of the nose. Large adenoids can lead to blockage of sinus drainage and thus sinus infections.

Allergen:Any substance that induces an allergy. Common allergens are smoke, dust, pollen, mold and animal dander.

Allergies:Dysfunctional immune responses to substances that are harmless to most people.

Asthma: A chronic upper respiratory condition caused by a tightening of the muscles and swelling of the lining in the small breathing tubes of the lungs.

CT Scan:A type of X-ray that provides a detail blueprint of the architecture of the sinuses.

Deviated Septum:An abnormality in the septum in which the partition separating the left and right sides of the nose curves or twists. A deviated septum can cause nasal blockage, sinus infections and other sinus problems.

Endoscope:A narrow instrument equipped with small lights and cameras that is used to explore the nasal and sinus passages.

Ethmoid Sinuses:Sinuses that reside on each side of the nose between the eyes.

Frontal Sinuses:Sinuses that reside in the forehead.

Maxillary Sinuses:Sinuses that reside in the cheek above the teeth and below the eyes.

Minimally Invasive:Techniques that invoke less trauma on the patient and disturb as little of the anatomy as possible.

Mucous:Secretion that moistens and protects nasal passages and sinus cavities.

Nasal Endoscopy:A procedure in which the physician uses an endoscope to survey the sinus passages, looking for any obstructions or abnormalities.

Ostium:A small opening connecting the sinuses to the nose.

Polyp:A mass of membrane not typical to normal anatomy.

Septum:The partition that separates the right and left sides of the nose.

Sinus Headache:Headaches characterized by a painful pressure in certain areas of the face or skull and typically triggered by air pressure changes or air-borne irritants.

Sinus Infection:An inflammation of the lining in one of the sinuses typically characterized by pain and tenderness in sinus areas.

Sinuses:Air-filled cavities located above, beside and behind the nose and connected to the nose by tiny passages that carry sinus mucous into the nose. Sinuses serve as resonating chambers for speaking and singing. They also serve to reduce the weight of the skull by replacing dense bone with air-filled chambers.

Sinusitis:A sinus infection, which is an inflammation of the lining in one of the sinuses typically characterized by pain and tenderness in sinus areas.

Sphenoid Sinuses:Sinuses that reside behind the eyes; the most deeply placed sinuses.

SQ Test:A test conducted at the Setliff Sinus Institute that helps determine whether a patient’s symptoms are caused by allergies, sinus problems or both.

Turbinates:Bones on the sidewall of the nose. There are three turbinates on each side of the nose: the lower (or inferior) turbinate, the middle turbinate and the upper (or superior) turbinate. The tear duct drains underneath the lower turbinate. The maxiallry and ethmoid sinuses drain into the middle turbinate, and the sphenoid and ethmoid sinuses drain under the upper turbinate.