sinus

/'sainəs/

Friendly

Explanation of the Word "Sinus"

Definition: The word "sinus" (pronounced: SIGH-nuhs) has a few meanings in English, but it is most commonly used in medical contexts. Here are the main meanings:

Usage Instructions:

• "Sinus" is a noun, so it is used to name a thing. You can use it in both singular and plural forms: "sinus" (singular) and "sinuses" (plural).

Examples:

1. Anatomical Context:

   • "I have a headache because my sinuses are blocked."

2. Blood Vessel Context:

   • "The doctor explained how the blood flows through the sinus in my body."

3. Abnormal Passage Context:

   • "The surgeon found a sinus connecting the infected area to the skin surface."

Advanced Usage:

In medical terminology, "sinus" can be part of compound words, like "paranasal sinuses" (the air-filled spaces around the nasal cavity) or "cavernous sinus" (a large venous sinus at the base of the skull).

Word Variants:

• Sinusoidal (adjective): Related to a sinus; often used in mathematics to describe a wave-like pattern.
• Sinusitis (noun): Inflammation of the sinuses, often due to infection.

Different Meanings:

While "sinus" primarily refers to the anatomical features mentioned above, it can also refer to sinusoidal functions in mathematics, which describe wave patterns.

Synonyms:

• For the anatomical context, synonyms include "cavity" or "space."
• In the context of blood vessels, it is often used alone, but "channel" can be a related term.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs that use "sinus," but it is often included in medical discussions or when talking about health.

Summary:

"Sinus" is an important term in anatomy and medicine, referring to cavities and channels in the body.

Academic

Noun

1. a wide channel containing blood; does not have the coating of an ordinary blood vessel
2. any of various air-filled cavities especially in the bones of the skull
3. an abnormal passage leading from a suppurating cavity to the body surface

Synonyms

• venous sinus
• fistula