A 40-year-old man undergoes functional endoscopic sinus surgery. During the procedure, the surgeon removes the uncinate process. Which sinus ostium does this expose?

• A Maxillary sinus ostium in the hiatus semilunaris ✓
• B Frontal sinus ostium directly
• C Sphenoid sinus ostium
• D Anterior ethmoidal infundibulum leading to the frontonasal recess

Explanation

In functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS), removal of the uncinate process opens the hiatus semilunaris and exposes the natural ostium of the maxillary sinus on the medial wall of the maxillary sinus. The uncinate process is a sickle-shaped bony projection that partially covers the ethmoidal infundibulum and maxillary ostium. This step is the key initial move in FESS, also facilitating access to anterior ethmoid cells.

Reference: Dhingra Diseases of Ear, Nose and Throat, 7th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.