Sinusitis

High school (ages 12+)
Human Body

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/sinusitis

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the medical classification?Inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the paranasal sinuses
2. What is the predominant etiology (acute)?Viral infections (approx. 90-98%)
3. Why does my nose feel so blocked when I have a cold?A cold virus can make the lining of the sinuses swell and block the tiny drainage tubes, so mucus builds up and the sinuses get inflamed.
4. How do doctors check if I have sinusitis?Doctors look for symptoms like congestion, thick yellow or green nose‑discharge, and facial pain that last more than a few days; they may also use a small camera or a quick X‑ray to see inside the nose.

Osteomeatal Complex: The critical drainage pathway for the frontal, maxillary, and anterior ethmoid sinuses.
Hyposmia: A reduced ability to smell, often a symptom of sinusitis.
Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS): Minimally invasive surgery to open blocked sinus passages using an endoscope.