sinus

American  

[sahy-nuhs] / ˈsaɪ nəs /

noun

plural

sinuses

1. a curve; bend.

2. a curving part or recess.

3. Anatomy.

   1. any of various cavities, recesses, or passages, as a hollow in a bone, or a reservoir or channel for venous blood.

   2. one of the hollow cavities in the skull connecting with the nasal cavities.

   3. an expanded area in a canal or tube.

4. Pathology. a narrow passage leading to an abscess or the like.

5. Botany. a small, rounded depression between two projecting lobes, as of a leaf.

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sinus British  

/ ˈsaɪnəs /

noun

1. anatomy

   1. any bodily cavity or hollow space

   2. a large channel for venous blood, esp between the brain and the skull

   3. any of the air cavities in the cranial bones

2. pathol a passage leading to a cavity containing pus

3. botany a small rounded notch between two lobes of a leaf, petal, etc

4. an irregularly shaped cavity

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sinus Scientific  

/ sī′nəs /

1. A cavity or hollow space in a bone of the skull, especially one that connects with the nose.

2. A channel for the passage of a body fluid, such as blood.

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Other Word Forms

• sinuslike adjective

Etymology

Origin of sinus

1590–1600; < Latin sinus (stem sinu- ) bent or curved surface, curve, fold

Example Sentences

I wanted it so people who are recording can clean out their vocals and sinuses before they sing.

From The Wall Street Journal

In the case of Nanotyrannus, most of the holotype consists of skull material filled with sinuses and other irregular features that make it unsuitable for this type of study.

From Science Daily

This can come from secondary infections like bronchitis, which inflame the airways, or the extra build-up of phlegm in your nose and sinuses.

From BBC

Before undergoing the treatment, performed under local anaesthetic, she said her surgeon told her she would have a sinus lift and a bone graft, along with removing her veneers and having implants put in.

From BBC

Patel’s opening statement was punctuated by a series of snorts so loud that it seemed he might soon eject a noodle from his sinus cavity.

From Salon