ethmoidal sinus

7.5

A small air space in the bone between the nose and eyes that opens into the nose

noun
/ˈɛθmɔɪdəl ˈsaɪnəs/

Specialized

: seno etmoidal

The doctor explained that inflammation in the ethmoidal sinus was causing my recurring headaches.

Examples

Infections sometimes spread from the nasal cavity to the ethmoidal sinus, leading to sinusitis.
The ethmoidal sinus can become inflamed during a cold.
A CT scan revealed a blockage in her left ethmoidal sinus.
Many people are unaware of their ethmoidal sinuses.
A CT scan revealed a blockage in her left ethmoidal sinus.
Infections sometimes spread from the nasal cavity to the ethmoidal sinus, leading to sinusitis.
The doctor explained that inflammation in the ethmoidal sinus was causing my recurring headaches.

Synonyms

sinus ethmoidales

vsethmoidal sinus

Specialized

8.2

Small air spaces in the bone between the eyes behind the nose bridge that connect to the nose

is one of several such cavities that open into the nasal cavity

ethmoid sinus

vsethmoidal sinus

Specialized

6.9

A small air-filled space in the bone between the nose and the eyes

is defined by its opening into the nasal cavity rather than only location

Surface Forms

ethmoidal sinus singular

ethmoidal sinuses plural

Morphology

ethmoidal + sinus

The term is directly compositional: 'ethmoidal' means relating to the ethmoid bone and 'sinus' means an air-filled cavity, so a learner who knows both constituents can infer it denotes the air-filled cavity in the ethmoid region. Although it's a technical anatomical label, the meaning follows normal adjective + noun naming patterns and is therefore recoverable from the parts.

Etymology

Ethmoidal sinus comes from the name of the ethmoid bone, which has many tiny holes like a sieve, and from sinus meaning a hollow space. So ethmoidal sinus paints a clear picture of the 'small air spaces' in the bone 'between the nose and the eyes', which is why it means 'small air-filled cavities' there.