Frontal sinus ontogeny and covariation with bone structures in a modern human population

Area of Science:

• Anthropology
• Human Anatomy
• Craniofacial Development

Background:

• The frontal sinus (FS) is a variable anatomical structure within the human frontal bone.
• Its growth and morphology are influenced by surrounding cranial structures.
• Understanding FS development is crucial for anatomical and anthropological studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze frontal sinus (FS) growth patterns in a human sample.
• To investigate covariation between FS volume and surrounding craniofacial structures (glabellar region, nasal width, bone thickness, endocranial size).

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 149 computed tomography (CT) reconstructions from individuals aged 0-31 years.
• Measurement of FS volume and surrounding bony structures.
• Application of parametric (modified logistic function) and nonparametric methods for growth trajectory analysis.
• Correlation and partial correlation analyses to assess covariation.

Main Results:

• Frontal sinus (FS) volume was measurable from approximately 6 years of age; hyperplasia observed in some adults.
• Modified logistic function provided significant parameters for FS growth modeling.
• Females exhibited earlier onset and cessation of FS growth, but slower development rates compared to males.
• FS volume correlated significantly with frontal bone thickness, especially in the glabellar region, independent of age.
• No significant correlation found between FS volume and upper nasal width or endocranial volume.

Conclusions:

• Frontal sinus (FS) morphology and expansion are significantly influenced by the adjacent bony environment, particularly frontal bone thickness.
• FS growth exhibits sex-specific developmental timing and rates.
• Predicting FS trajectory and morphology remains challenging due to high individual variability.