How Do You Palpate Sinuses

To palpate the frontal sinuses, place your thumbs just under the bony brows of your patient’s eyes (top photo). Press upward, being careful not to put pressure on the eyes. Next, place your thumbs just under the zygomatic arches (cheekbones) and press up on the maxillary sinuses (bottom photo).

Where are the sinuses positioned?

The maxillary sinuses are located on each side of your nose, near the cheek bones. The frontal sinuses are located above the eyes, near your forehead. The ethmoid sinuses are located on each side of the bridge of your nose, near your eyes.

What sinuses are palpable?

The floor of the maxillary sinuses may be approached by pressing upward on the palate. Ethmoid sinuses are between the eyes and behind the nasal bridge. Palpate the area around the middle canthus to assess the ethmoids. The sphenoid sinuses are deep to the ethmoids and behind the eyes.