ostiomeatalkomplexet

The ostiomeatal complex, commonly abbreviated as OMC and referred to in Swedish as ostiomeatalkomplexet, is an anatomical region of the lateral nasal wall that serves as the principal drainage pathway for several paranasal sinuses. It centers around the openings (osti) of the frontal, maxillary, and anterior ethmoid sinuses into the middle meatus, and includes nearby drainage passages such as the infundibulum and hiatus semilunus. The OMC is a key functional unit in nasal physiology, coordinating mucociliary clearance and sinus aeration.

Anatomically, the OMC encompasses the frontal recess region, the maxillary ostium, and the entrance points of the anterior ethmoid air cells as they drain into the middle meatus. The middle turbinate and surrounding ethmoidal cells contribute to the regional anatomy, and variations in this area can affect drainage efficiency. Because multiple sinuses drain through the same pathway, blockage or anatomical variation within the OMC can impact the health of several sinuses simultaneously.

Clinically, obstruction or inflammation of the ostiomeatal complex is a common feature of chronic rhinosinusitis and can lead to persistent sinus symptoms. Imaging, particularly computed tomography (CT), often assesses the patency of the OMC to guide treatment decisions. Management may include medical therapy aimed at reducing inflammation and, when necessary, endoscopic sinus surgery to restore drainage and ventilation by re-opening the complex. The concept remains central to understanding sinus physiology and planning surgical interventions in sinonasal disorders.