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Article: The optic nerve and the internal carotid artery in the sphenoid sinus. (Rhinoscopic Clinic).
- Article from:
- Ear, Nose and Throat Journal
- Article date:
- September 1, 2002
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2002 Vendome Group LLC. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Several structures can bulge into the sphenoid sinus. These structures include (1) the optic nerve and the internal carotid artery in the superolateral wall, (2) the posterior ethmoid cells in the anterosuperior wall (the Onodi cell), (3) the maxillary nerve in the lateral wall, and (4) the canal of the vidian nerve in the floor.
The bulges produced by the optic nerve and the internal carotid artery are of considerable clinical importance (Figure). Depending on the degree of pneumatization of the sphenoid sinus, these bulges can be either barely noticeable or quite obvious. If the anterior clinoid process of the lesser wing of the sphenoid bone is pneumatized, ...