Sphenoid bone
Os sphenoideum
- Latin synonym: Os sphenoidale
- Synonym: Sphenoid; Sphenoidal bone
Definition
The sphenoid bone is situated at the base of the skull, right in front of the temporal and the basilar part of the occipital bones. It somewhat resembles a bat with its wings spread out. This bone is made up of a central section called the body, two greater and two lesser wings that stretch out from the sides of the body, and two pterygoid processes that project from it below lateral to the choanae.
You can see all parts of the sphenoid bone from the bottom of the skull. However, to see the smaller wings, you need to view the sphenoid bone from above, within the skull's cavity.
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Text by Antoine Micheau, MD - Copyright IMAIOS and reviewed by Muhammad A. Javaid, MD, PhD © 2024 IMAIOS.
Drake, R.L., Vogl, A.W. and Mitchell, A.W.M. (2009). ‘Chapter 8: Head and Neck’ in Gray’s anatomy for Students. (2nd ed.) Philadelphia PA 19103-2899: Elsevier, pp. 819-820.
