GENERALIZED HISTOSTRUCTURAL AND MORPHOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FRONTAL SINUS OF HUMAN IN HEALTH

Abstract

The aim of our study is to determine the histo-topographic and morphometric features of the structural components of the mucous membrane of the human frontal sinus on different walls. Materials and methods: to achieve the goal, we used a set of methods for morphological studies including the method of serial semi-thin sections, histochemical studies, and the morphometric method. The thickest mucous membrane on the lower wall has an average epithelium thickness of 51.45±1.59 μm on the left and 50.78±1.64 μm on the right. On the left, the lamina propria thickness is 42.49±5.34 μm, and on the right, it is 43.03±2.22 μm. The submucosal base has a thickness of 423.67±21.33 μm on the left and 426.45±16.77 μm on the right, which is four times higher than the average thickness of the back wall and septum (p<0.05). The average diameter of the lumen of the resistive and capacitive links of the hemomicrocirculatory channel is the largest in the mucous membrane of the front wall of the human frontal sinus (respectively, 11.16±0.37 μm on the left and 11.34±0.31 μm on the right (p<0.05); 7, 63±0.08 μm on the left and 7.57±0.09 μm on the right), the smallest is in the mucous membrane of the back wall (respectively, 6.96±0.19 μm on the left and 6.56±0.35 μm on the right; 8.82±0.16 μm on the left and 9.02±0.43 μm on the right (p<0.05)). Exchangeable hemomicrovessels with the smallest diameter had a measurement of 3.89±0.08 μm on the left and 4.19±0.02 μm on the right (р<0.05) within the specified area. The study revealed the largest capillaries in the mucosal lining of the lower wall, which measured 4.88±0.07 μm on the left and 4.73±0.12 μm on the right (p<0.05). Furthermore, complex alveolar-tubular glands were evident in the submucosal base of the mucosal lining in all walls of the designated sinus. It has been found that the glands on the lower wall have the largest diameter of the terminal sections, whereas those on the septum have the smallest. On the left, the glands on the lower wall have a diameter of 30.42±2.36 μm, while those on the septum have a diameter of 25.42±1.68 μm. On the right, the corresponding measurements are 31.01±1.34 μm and 25.89±1.38 μm (p<0.05). In conclusion, this study highlights the distinct differences in gland diameter and type among different sections of the organ. The glands on the front and back comprised a mixture of protein and mucous types, while two types were identified on the lower wall and septum. The statistical processing of the obtained histo-topographic, histological, histochemical, and morphometric data significantly enhances the comprehension of the microscopic structure of the mucous membrane in the frontal sinus. These findings can be important in modern morphology and otorhinolaryngology.