Peter Hwang, M.D.
Associate Professor and Director
Stanford Sinus Center Stanford, CA
The sphenoid sinus is a smaller sinus located at the very back of the nasal cavity. When infected, it can cause pain or pressure behind the eyes or on the top of the head. Sphenoidotomy refers to a surgical procedure to enlarge the natural opening to the sphenoid sinus.
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Berrylin J. Ferguson, M.D. Pittsburgh, PA
"Sphenoid" refers to the sinus located at the the very back of the nose which opens into the nasal cavity approximately 30 degrees above the floor of the nose. "-otomy" means to make an opening into. Therefore, a sphenoidotomy is making an opening into the sphenoid sinus. The sphenoid sinus is sometimes referred to as the hidden sinus. Symptoms of sphenoid sinusitis include pressure or pain on the top or back of the head. The sphenoid sinus is surrounded above and to the side by the brain and vital structures such as the optic nerve and carotid artery.
