The sinuses are surrounded by bone and cartilage and lined with a
mucous membrane. Sinusitis occurs when the membranes becomes
inflamed and painful, which may be a result of a blocked sinus
opening.Chronic sinusitis is often caused by inflammation and
blockage due to physical obstruction such as a deviated septum,
misformed bone or cartilage structures such as the nasal conchae
(turbinates), or blockage by nasal cysts or polyps.
Review Date: 01/30/2008
Reviewed By: James L. Demetroulakos, M.D., F.A.C.S., Department of
Otolaryngology, North Shore Medical Center, Salem, MA. Clinical
Instructor in Otology and Laryngology, Harvard Medical School.
Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
