Recessus terminalis

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Recessus terminalis is the name given to a blind-ending ethmoid infundibulum. It is an anatomical variant that occurs when the uncinate process inserts more laterally than usual onto the lamina papyracea.

Practical points

  • sinonasal disease extending into the recess terminalis may displace the uncinate process medially with resultant obstruction of the middle meatus.