Maheswary Thampi S1, Vijayamma K. N2, Prasad Kumar R3
BACKGROUND
Maxillae are the largest of facial bones, jointly form whole of upper jaw and bears the sockets of upper jaw teeth. Maxillary air sinus is contained within the body of maxilla, which is roughly pyramidal in shape. The size is variable and is different on both sides. Maxillary sinus has great importance in clinical settings due to various diseases and injuries it suffers from. Maxillary sinus septae are barriers of cortical bone that arise from floor or from the walls of the sinus. The septa may partially or completely divide the sinus into two or more cavities. It may be either bony or membranous. They can be located in any region of maxillary sinus and their size also varies. Recognition of septa and its location are clinically relevant for floor elevation and sinus surgeries of maxillary sinus.
This study is conducted to examine and analyse the prevalence and morphology of maxillary sinus septa in formalin embalmed cadavers.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
For the purpose of study, 15 female and 15 male adult cadaver head specimens fixed in 40% formalin were used. Cadavers for dissection were obtained from the Department of Anatomy, Government Medical College, Kottayam. The maxillary septae were studied in detail, analysed and photographed.
RESULTS
Based on the study of 30 specimens, the degree of prevalence of sinus septa is 6% in cadaver observation method. The number of septa found in this study is 16.67% and 13.33% for male and female populations respectively in cadaver observation method.
CONCLUSION
To avoid complications during sinus lifting, a meticulous study of the sinus is necessary for identifying and locating septa.
