Cancer of the Nasal Cavity and Paranasal Sinuses

Abstract

AnAtomy nasal The nasal cavity extends from the hard palate inferiorly to the base of the skull superiorly . It is above and behind the vesti - bule and is defined anteriorly by the transition from skin to mucous membrane and posteriorly by the choanae , which open directly into the nasopharynx . 1 The nasal cavity consists of four subsites : the nasal vestibule , the lateral walls , the floor , and the septum . The nasal vestibule is the triangular space located inside the aperture of the nostril as a slight dilatation that extends as a small recess toward the apex of the nose . It is defined later - ally by the alae ; medially by the membranous septum , the dis - tal end of the cartilaginous septum , and columella ; and inferi - orly by the adjacent floor of the nasal cavity . It is lined by skin containing hairs and sebaceous glands ; therefore , tumors at this location are often those that arise from the skin , usually squamous cell cancers 2 but may occasionally be basal cell car - cinoma 3 sebaceous carcinoma , 4 melanoma , 5 or non - Hodgkin ' s lymphoma . 6 The lateral walls correspond with the medial walls of the maxillary sinuses and consist of thin bony structures that have three shell - shaped projections (superior , middle , and inferior conchae or turbinates) into the nasal cavity . The floor extends from the vestibule to the nasopharynx above the hard palate of the maxilla . The septum divides the nasal cavity into right and left halves . Paranasal