Anatomical and computed tomographic analysis of the interaction between the uncinate process and the agger nasi cell.
CONCLUSIONS
The agger nasi cell, together with the postosuperior portion of the uncinate process, was the key that unlocked the frontal recess.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the anatomical interaction between the upper portion of the uncinate process and the agger nasi cell.


METHODS
Twenty-one skeletal skulls (42 sides) were studied by spiral computed tomography (CT) and endoscopy, and one cadaver head (2 sides) was studied by collodion-embedded sectioning in the coronal plane.


RESULTS
The endoscopic view of the entrance of the middle meatus showed the middle part of the uncinate process and the middle part of the middle turbinate fused together as the axilla of the middle meatus. The middle portion of the uncinate process attached to the frontal process of the maxilla in all of the skeletal nasal cavities, as well as the lacrimal bone in 33 sides of the skeletal nasal cavities. On CT scans, the agger nasi cell was present in 38 sides of the skeletal nasal cavities. The agger nasi cell was medially, superiorly and inferiorly bounded by the uncinate process. The superior portion of the uncinate extended into the frontal recess and may insert into the lamina papyracea (33%), skull base (10%), middle turbinate, and a combination of these (57%).
Zhang
Luo
L
Beijing Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Department of Radiology, Affiliated Beijing Tongren Hospital of Capital University of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China. luozhang@trhos.com
Han
Demin
D
Ge
Wentong
W
Xian
Junfang
J
Zhou
Bing
B
Fan
Erzhong
E
Liu
Zhongyan
Z
He
Fei
F
D003608:Dacryocystorhinostomy; D004724:Endoscopy; D005626:Frontal Sinus / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007765:Lacrimal Apparatus / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008437:Maxilla / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012016:Reference Values; D019291:Skull Base / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed; D014420:Turbinates / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging