For Providers -- Atlas of Human Anatomy

The os sphenoid, from its upper or its brain surface.

Translated by: Ronald A. Bergman, PhD and Adel K. Afifi, MD, MS
Peer Review Status: Internally Peer Reviewed

A) Body or base.
B) Lesser wing or ensiform process of the sphenoid.
C) Greater wing (cerebral outer surface).

a) Medial clinoid process.
b) Sella Turcica, the fossa for the hypophysis gland.
c) Posterior clinoid process.
d) Carotid sulcus.
e) Anterior clinoid process.
f) Optic foramen.
g) Superior orbital fissure.
h) Foramen rotundum.
i) Foramen ovale.
k) Foramen spinosum.
l) Spinous process.
m) Lingula.
n) Sphenoid crest.
o) Superior margin (articulates with the frontal bone).
p) Posterior margin (articulates with squamous part of temporal bone).
q) Posterior inferior part (placed on the petrus part of the temporal bone).
r) Clivus.