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What are the main functions of the paranasal sinuses?
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olfactory system
Sagittal view of the human nasal cavity.
The paranasal sinuses are air-filled cavities within the skull that communicate with the nasal cavity. Their functions include:12
- Olfaction: In certain carnivores, the presence of frontal and sphenoidal sinuses is associated with an increased area for olfaction, thereby improving the sense of smell.1
- Skull Weight: Because they are filled with air, the sinuses help maintain the weight of the skull within reasonable limits.2
- Resonance: They serve as resonance chambers for the human voice.2
- Mucus Production: The sinuses are lined with mucous membrane and produce mucus, which is propelled by cilia into the nasal cavity to lubricate the nasal passages.1
While it has been suggested that the maxillary sinuses may play a role in phonation and the conservation of heat from the nasal fossae, scientific evidence for these theories is currently lacking. Additionally, in humans and higher apes, the ethmoidal air cells are thought to be a result of the restriction of the olfactory area.1