Abstract
A method for measuring the functional size of the maxillary ostium in living man is described. It is based on the measurements of the pressure rise in a maxillary ostium with patent ostium caused by an air stream led into the sinus through a cannula entering the antrum through the lower nasal meatus. The pressure rise is dependent on the airflow led into the sinus and the size of the ostium. Model experiments were performed and from these a nomogram was constructed. This nomogram is used for the calculation of the size of the maxillary ostia in living man. A clinical study of 37 normal persons showed that the mean functional size corresponded to a diameter of 2.4 mm and that there was no difference in ostial size between men and women, nor any correlation between volume of the maxillary sinus and size of the ostium.

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