For Providers -- Atlas of Human Anatomy

The anterior surface of the sphenoid bone.

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


 

The anterior surface of the sphenoid bone

A) Body of the sphenoid bone.
B) Lesser wing of the sphenoid.
C) Greater wing of the sphenoid (orbital surface).
D) Pterygoid process.

a) Posterior clinoid process.
b) Sella turcica (fossa for the hypophysis).
c) Orifice of the sphenoid sinus.
d) Sphenoid crest.
e) Superior orbital fissure.
f) Orbital surface of the greater wing of the sphenoid bone.
g) Foramen rotundum.
h) Vidian canal (pterygoid canal).
i) Spinous process.
k) Pterygoid sulcus or palatine sulcus (the posterior wall of the pterygopalatine canal).
l) Lateral wing of the pterygoid process.
m) Medial wing of the pterygoid process.
n) Pterygoid notch.
o) Pterygoid hamulus.

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