How to Pronounce Maxillary Sinus

Say it like this: MAK-sih-lair-ee SY-nus. The first word rhymes with 'tacky,' and the second word rhymes with 'minus.' Put the strongest stress on the first syllable of 'maxillary'—MAK—so it sounds like you're emphasizing the beginning.

The stress falls on the first syllable: MAK-sih-lair-ee. A common mistake is stressing the second syllable and saying mak-SIL-uh-ree, but that's not correct. Remember: MAK is where the emphasis goes.

It breaks down like this: MAK-sih-lair-ee. That's four syllables total. The word 'sinus' is just two syllables: SY-nus.

Maxilla is the Latin word for the upper jawbone or cheekbone. 'Maxillary' is the adjective form that means 'relating to the maxilla.' So maxillary sinus means the sinus cavity that belongs to or is found in the upper jaw area.

It's an air-filled pocket inside each of your cheekbones. Think of it like a small hollow space tucked behind your cheek, just like how your skull has empty spaces inside it to keep it light.

You might hear 'maxilla' (the bone itself), 'maxillary artery' (a blood vessel in that area), or 'maxillofacial' (relating to the jaw and face). All of these words trace back to the same Latin root for the upper jaw.

It's often shortened to MS in medical writing. You might also see it written as 'maxillary sinuses' (plural) when doctors are talking about both cheeks, since most people have one on each side.

Here's an example: 'The doctor mentioned that the maxillary sinus is the largest of the paranasal sinuses.' Or: 'Each person has a maxillary sinus on both sides of their face, one inside each cheekbone.'