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Coding tip: Know your nose anatomy

Ambulatory Surgery Reimbursement Update, December 11, 2007

Before you can code ear, nose, and throat (ENT) procedures, you should know the relevant anatomy. There are four sinus cavities-one of each sinus type is located on each side of the face. The names of the cavities originate from the bones in which they are located. These include the following:

• Frontal sinus-Located in the forehead (Frontal bone)
• Maxillary sinus-Located in the cheek (Maxillary bone)
• Sphenoid sinus-Located behind the ethmoid sinuses, near the middle of the skull (sphenoid bone)
• Ethmoid sinus-Located at the inner area of each eye (ethmoid bone)

The nasal septum runs down the center of the nose and separates the nose into two cavities. The side wall of the nose has three turbinates, termed the superior, middle, and inferior turbinates. Each turbinate is a projection that extends the length of the nasal cavity. The space between each turbinate is called a meatus, and each meatus is named for the turbinate above it. The openings, or "ostium," from the sinuses open into the nose.

This tip is brought to you by Ellis Medical Consulting, Inc.

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