Frontal Sinus Morphology in Domestic Cats and Dogs: Associations with Body Size, Age, and Skull Conformation

The frontal sinus is a highly variable cranial structure among carnivores, influenced by factors such as skull morphology, body size, and developmental stage. This study provides a comparative morphometric analysis of frontal sinus volume and internal surface area in domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) and cats (Felis catus) using 3D segmentation and measurement techniques. Computed tomography scans of 32 animals (dogs: n = 18; cats: n = 14) wee analyzed, and relationships with body weight, age, skull indices (cranial index, skull index), species, and sex were assessed. Results showed that dogs possessed significantly larger frontal sinus volumes and surface areas compared to cats, reflecting interspecies differences in skull architecture. Body weight was strongly and positively correlated with both sinus volume and surface area, while cranial index exhibited a significant negative association with sinus dimensions, indicating reduced pneumatization in brachycephalic skulls. Skull index demonstrated weaker correlations, and sex was not a significant factor. Both volume and surface area were tightly correlated, suggesting proportional scaling of mucosal surface with cavity size. Age-related differences were evident, with incomplete sinus pneumatization in juveniles, aligning with developmental patterns reported in prior studies. These findings highlight species, body size, and cranial conformation as primary determinants of frontal sinus morphology, while sex exerts minimal influence. The results provide novel reference data on frontal sinus surface area, complementing volume-based metrics and reinforcing the clinical and anatomical importance of considering breed-related skull morphology in veterinary imaging, diagnosis, and surgical planning.

Cite this article as: Yalın, E. E., Szara, T., Altundağ, Y., Güzel, B. C., Bonecka, J., & Gündemir, O. (2026). Frontal sinus morphology in domestic cats and dogs: associations with body size, age, and skull conformation. Acta Veterinaria Eurasia, 52, 0010 doi: 10.5152/actavet.2026.26010.