Abstract
This study was carried to investigate the morphometry of the maxillary sinus and the three dimensional relationship between the maxilla and the maxillary sinus with the use of Computed Tomography (CT) images. Materials used were dry skulls of 42 modern Japanese female skulls (average age of 38.9) housed in the University Museum of the University of Tokyo. CT scanning images of the maxillary sinus were measured by calibrated software program, CT Rugle. The length, width, height, and volume of the sinus were measured. It was observed that differences between left and right sinuses, were larger than those seen in other parts of the body; the size of the sinus had correlations with other skeletal measurements. The shape of the sinus base was subjectively grouped into three types, i.e., round type, flat type and irregular type. The round type of sinus floor was associated with small sinuses, whereas the irregular types were associated with lager sinuses. The female sinus was significantly smaller than that of the male in length, height, and volume. The size of the maxillary sinus of individuals with complete set of teeth was found largest at 20 years of age, and it is reduced as the age increases to 50 or more.
