What Are Sinus Headaches?
The sinuses are open cavities in facial and head bones. It is believed that these air spaces enable humans to hold up their heads. If the areas occupied by sinuses were filled with bone or tissue, the head would be extremely heavy. There are four groups of sinuses: the frontal sinuses, which are located just above the eyes; the ethmoid sinuses, which are in the cheek area; the maxillary sinuses, which are located on both sides of the nose and spread out under the cheeks; and the sphenoid sinuses, which are in front of the ears. The sinuses are lined with mucous membranes, similar to those that line the nose, and are connected to the nasal passages by ducts. Sinus headaches occur when the mucous membranes are clogged or inflamed, a process known as sinusitis, which may accompany a severe cold.
