The Weight of the Head and Skull, as well as The Centre of Gravity Can Be Affected by The Paranasal Sinuses

Abstract

Background: The paranasal sinuses are air-filled cavities that potentially influence the weight and center of gravity (CG) of the head and  skull. Their anatomical and physiological roles warrant investigation regarding their impact on cranial biomechanics.

Objective: to  determine the effect of the paranasal sinuses on the mass and CG of the head and skull using volumetric and mass analyses from CT  scans.

Patients and Methods: a retrospective study utilizing medical records and CT scans from 130 patients (69 males, 61 females; aged  18-75) treated at Benha Medical School between January 2016 and June 2019. Participants' CT scans were analyzed using Amira  software to create 3D reconstructions and simulate the presence and absence of pneumatic sinuses. Four groups were evaluated: natural  pneumatic sinuses and sinuses filled with bone material for both the skull and entire head. Volumes were converted to mass  estimates using established density values, and the CG was calculated for each configuration.

Results: The mean dimensions of head and  skull, along with mass and volume, revealed no significant differences when sinuses were filled with bone. The average head mass  was 4.495 kg (SD 0.0736 kg), with no notable changes in CG coordinates (X: -0.370 cm ±0.08, Y: 0.094 cm ±0.13, Z: 2.66 cm ±0.79) between groups. The paranasal sinuses did not significantly alter the mass or CG of the head and skull.

Conclusion: The paranasal sinuses have a  negligible impact on the mass and CG of the head and skull, suggesting their role in cranial biomechanics is minimal.