Which sinuses are visualized on a lateral view of the skull?

The correct answer is the ethmoid sinuses. When taking a lateral view of the skull, the ethmoid sinuses, located between the orbits and behind the nose, become visible due to their anatomical position. The lateral view allows for clear visualization of the delicate air cells of the ethmoid sinuses within the cranial cavity's mid-facial region.

In this view, the frontal and maxillary sinuses can be seen, but they may not be as distinctly highlighted as the ethmoid sinuses. The frontal sinuses, situated in the forehead region, and the maxillary sinuses located in the cheek area, do not present as prominently in a lateral projection compared to the ethmoid sinuses. The sphenoid sinuses are located deeper within the skull base, making them challenging to visualize adequately on a lateral projection without specific imaging techniques aimed at that region.

Therefore, the nomenclature of the ethmoid sinuses' location and their visibility in lateral radiographic imaging best supports their identification in this context.