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Martin J. Citardi, M.D.
The precise purpose of the sinuses is unknown. A variety of theories have been proposed:
- The sinuses act as 'air-conditioners;' they filter and humidify the air.
- The sinuses lighten the weight of the skull.
- The sinuses are 'crumple zones.' In severe facial trauma, the facial skeleton is crushed; this absorbs energy that would otherwise be transmitted to the cranial cavity and brain. In a similar fashion, automobiles are designed so that the energy from a collision is absorbed by the car body, but the energy transmitted to the passenger cabin is minimized.
- The sinuses are resonance chambers (echo chambers tuned to a specific frequency), which change the characteristics of spoken voice.
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