Underwood's septa

Underwood's septa
Specimen from a child eight years, eight months, and one day old. Lateral view of frontal, ethmoidal and maxillary sinus areas, the lateral portion of each having been removed by sagittal cuts. ("Maxillary septa" labeled at center left.)
Anatomical terminology
A short Underwood's septum on the floor of the left maxillary sinus, depicted in a regular dental x-ray film (top), a photograph taken during a sinus augmentation procedure (middle) and in a cone beam CT scan taken for preoperative evaluation (bottom).

In anatomy, Underwood's septa (or maxillary sinus septa, singular septum)[1][2] are fin-shaped projections of bone that may exist in the maxillary sinus, first described in 1910 by Arthur S. Underwood, an anatomist at King's College in London.[3] The presence of septa at or near the floor of the sinus are of interest to the dental clinician when proposing or performing sinus floor elevation procedures because of an increased likelihood of surgical complications, such as tearing of the Schneiderian membrane.[4]

The prevalence of Underwood's septa in relation to the floor of the maxillary sinus has been reported at nearly 32%.[5]

  1. ^ Maestre-Ferrín L, et al. Maxillary sinus septa: a systematic review. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal 2010;15(2):e383–6. PMID 19767706
  2. ^ Lee WJ, et al. Analysis of location and prevalence of maxillary sinus septa. J Periodontal Implant Sci 2010;40(2):56–60. PMID 20498761
  3. ^ Underwood, AS. An inquiry into the anatomy and pathology of the maxillary sinus. J Anat Physiol 1910;44:354-369.
  4. ^ Boyne, P; James, RA. Grafting of the maxillary sinus floor with autogenous marrow and bone. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 1980;38:113–116.
  5. ^ Ulm, CW, et al. Incidence and suggested surgical management of septa in sinus-lift procedures. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants 1995;10:462–465.