What are the sinuses?
The sinuses are part of your nose and respiratory system. They connect to your nasal passages in a complex network of air flow and drainage passages. As you breathe in air through your nose and mouth, it moves through the sinus passages.
What is the function of sinuses in the respiratory system?
Sinus function. The sinuses are part of your nose and respiratory system. They connect to your nasal passages in a complex network of air flow and drainage passages. As you breathe in air through your nose and mouth, it moves through the sinus passages.
How do the sinuses connect to the nasal passages?
They connect to your nasal passages in a complex network of air flow and drainage passages. As you breathe in air through your nose and mouth, it moves through the sinus passages. The sinuses also produce mucus that coats and lubricates your nasal passages and the sinuses themselves.
Where are the sinuses lined with mucus?
Like the nasal cavity, the sinuses are all lined with mucus. The mucus secretions produced in the sinuses are continually being swept into the nose by the hair-like structures (called ‘cilia’) on the surface of the respiratory membrane.
What causes sinusitis?
Acute sinusitis is most often caused by the common cold. Signs and symptoms may include a blocked and stuffy (congested) nose, which may block your sinuses and prevent drainage of mucus. Acute sinusitis is most often caused by the common cold, which is an infection with a virus. In some cases, an infection with bacteria develops.
How to use a saline solution for sinus infection?
1 Stand with your head over a sink or in the shower and tilt your head to one side. 2 Using a squeeze bottle, bulb syringe, or neti pot, pour or squeeze the saline solution slowly into the upper nostril. 3 Allow the solution to pour out your other nostril and into the drain. 4 Repeat on the opposite side.
What is an acute sinus infection?
Acute sinusitis. Acute sinusitis Acute sinusitis is most often caused by the common cold. Signs and symptoms may include nasal obstruction and congestion, which may block your sinuses and prevent drainage of mucus.