Applied anatomy of the paranasal sinuses with emphasis on endoscopic surgery

Serial sections of frozen cadaver heads were obtained in the axial, coronal, and sagittal planes. These were analyzed with specific attention to the anatomy of the paranasal sinuses as it pertains to endoscopic sinus surgery. Important anatomic landmarks are pointed out. The use of these landmarks to guide the surgeon through the dissection and to avoid complications is discussed. The resolution of chronic sinusitis is often brought about by the structural changes secondary to endoscopic sinus surgery, and the reasons for this outcome are reviewed.