ABSTRACT
A thorough understanding of the functional anatomy and physiology of the nose and paranasal sinuses is essential in approaching the diagnosis and treatment of sinonasal diseases in children and adults. By considering the sequential development of the sinuses with maturation and the intricate anatomic and physiological mechanisms that are involved in the function of the sinuses in disease and in health, clinicians will be able to apply these principles in the effective management of sinonasal pathology. The present chapter will first review the embryology of the developing nose and sinuses, and discuss their developmental anatomy throughout childhood (Table 1). It will also present the anatomy of the adult nose and sinuses in detail, with
a focus on how these anatomical features affect the sinonasal functions. Finally, it reviews the relevant aspects of the normal physiology of the nose and sinuses, and discusses how alterations in these normal physiological mechanisms can result in acute and chronic diseases in children and adults.
EMBRYOLOGY OF THE NOSE AND PARANASAL SINUSES
