Which sinuses are visualized on a lateral view of the skull?

Which sinuses are visualized on a lateral view of the skull?

• A. Frontal
• B. Maxillary
• C. Ethmoid
• D. Sphenoid

Answer: (C)

Paranasal sinuses are evaluated in a skull lateral view by looking at the air-filled spaces between facial bones in a single, side-on projection. The ethmoid sinuses are most clearly visualized here because they lie within the ethmoid labyrinth between the nasal cavity and orbits. Their numerous small air cells form a mosaic that the lateral beam passes through with relatively minimal, predictable overlap, making these spaces stand out as a characteristic radiolucent honeycomb pattern. Other sinuses can sometimes be seen, but they’re less reliably demonstrated on this view due to overlying or surrounding bone. Frontal sinuses are often obscured by the frontal bone, maxillary sinuses can be partially hidden by the zygomatic bone and nasal structures, and the sphenoid sinuses lie farther back and are more challenging to resolve in this projection.

Paranasal sinuses are evaluated in a skull lateral view by looking at the air-filled spaces between facial bones in a single, side-on projection. The ethmoid sinuses are most clearly visualized here because they lie within the ethmoid labyrinth between the nasal cavity and orbits. Their numerous small air cells form a mosaic that the lateral beam passes through with relatively minimal, predictable overlap, making these spaces stand out as a characteristic radiolucent honeycomb pattern.

Other sinuses can sometimes be seen, but they’re less reliably demonstrated on this view due to overlying or surrounding bone. Frontal sinuses are often obscured by the frontal bone, maxillary sinuses can be partially hidden by the zygomatic bone and nasal structures, and the sphenoid sinuses lie farther back and are more challenging to resolve in this projection.