Ethmoid bulla
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At the time the article was created Maxime St-Amant had no recorded disclosures.
View Maxime St-Amant's current disclosuresAt the time the article was last revised Rohit Sharma had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.
View Rohit Sharma's current disclosures- Bulla ethmoidalis
- Ethmoidal bulla
- Ethmoidal bullae
The ethmoid bulla, also known as bulla ethmoidalis, is the largest and most consistent air cell of the anterior ethmoidal air cells. It is a component of the ostiomeatal complex.
Gross anatomy
It is located posterior to the frontal recess and enclosed laterally by the lamina papyracea. It forms the roof of the middle meatus.
It can be classified into three subtypes 1:
simple bulla (50%): a single cavity that usually communicates with the hiatus semilunaris
compound bulla (25%): 2-3 separate compartments that communicate with the hiatus semilunaris
complex bulla (25%): 2-3 separate compartments that communicate with the hiatus semilunaris, ethmoid infundibulum or superior meatus
It is formed by pneumatisation of the bulla lamella and its degree of pneumatisation is variable. In its most extreme form (giant ethmoid bulla), it may fill the entire middle meatus. Failure of pneumatisation of the ethmoid bulla is termed torus ethmoidalis 3.
It usually opens in the retrobullar recess.
Quiz questions
References
- 1. Mohammad Javed Ali. Principles and Practice of Lacrimal Surgery. (2018) ISBN: 9789811054426 - Google Books
- 2. M. Eric Gershwin, Gary Incaudo. Diseases of the Sinuses. (2012) ISBN: 9781461202257 - Google Books
- 3. Vincent Chong. Skull Base Imaging. (2017) ISBN: 9780323496049 - Google Books
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