The ethmoid sits between the eye sockets and forms part of the medial orbital walls, the nasal septum, and the roof of the nasal cavity, containing the cribriform plate through which olfactory nerve fibres pass.
| Articulations |
|
|---|---|
| Landmarks |
|
| Ossification | Endochondral and membranous ossification from multiple centres completing ossification by age 12. |
The cribriform plate is the thinnest part of the anterior skull base and the most common site of anterior skull base fractures from frontal trauma, producing cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhoea. Olfactory nerve filaments pass through the cribriform foramina and are sheared by even minor head trauma, causing anosmia. Endoscopic sinus surgery risks penetrating the thin lamina papyracea of the ethmoid into the orbit or through the cribriform plate into the anterior cranial fossa.
Central midface impact collapses the nasal bones into the ethmoid complex, causing telecanthus, a flattened nasal bridge, and possible cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhoea.
Fracture of the cribriform plate can tear the overlying dura and olfactory fibres, producing cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhoea and loss of smell (anosmia).
This website uses cookies to enhance your experience. Some are essential for site functionality, while others help us analyze and improve your usage experience. Please review your options and make your choice.
If you are under 16 years old, please ensure that you have received consent from your parent or guardian for any non-essential cookies.
Your privacy is important to us. You can adjust your cookie settings at any time. For more information about how we use data, please read our privacy policy. You may change your preferences at any time by clicking on the settings button below.
Note that if you choose to disable some types of cookies, it may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.
Some required resources have been blocked, which can affect third-party services and may cause the site to not function properly.
This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and ensure the site functions properly. By continuing to use this site, you acknowledge and accept our use of cookies.
