Dictionary Definition
sphenoid n : butterfly-shaped bone at the base of
the skull [syn: sphenoid
bone, os
sphenoidale]
User Contributed Dictionary
English
Adjective
sphenoid- Wedge-shaped.
Noun
sphenoid- The sphenoid bone
Derived terms
Extensive Definition
The sphenoid bone (from Greek sphenoeides,
"wedgelike") is a bone
situated at the base of the skull in front of the temporals and basilar part of
the occipital
bone.
The sphenoid bone somewhat resembles a butterfly or bat with its
wings extended.
Portions
It is divided into the following parts:- a median portion, known as the body of sphenoid bone
- two greater wings and two lesser wings
- Pterygoid processes of the sphenoides which project from it posteriorly (below)
Two sphenoidal
conchae are situated at the anterior and posterior part of the
body.
Named features
Various other named features of the sphenoid bone exist:- pterygoid notch
- pterygoid fossa
- scaphoid fossa
- vaginal process
- pterygoid hamulus
- pterygoid canal
- pterygospinous process
Additional images
Image:Illu facial bones.jpg|Facial bones.
See also
External links
- - "Lateral view of skull."
sphenoid in Arabic: عظم وتدي
sphenoid in Catalan: Esfenoide
sphenoid in Danish: Kileben
sphenoid in German: Keilbein
sphenoid in Spanish: Hueso esfenoides
sphenoid in French: Os sphénoïde
sphenoid in Galician: Esfenoide
sphenoid in Italian: Osso sfenoide
sphenoid in Latin: Os sphenoidale
sphenoid in Latvian: Spārnkauls
sphenoid in Lithuanian: Pleištakaulis
sphenoid in Hungarian: Ékcsont
sphenoid in Dutch: Wiggenbeen
sphenoid in Japanese: 蝶形骨
sphenoid in Norwegian: Kilebeinet
sphenoid in Polish: Kość klinowa
sphenoid in Portuguese: Osso esfenóide
sphenoid in Slovak: Klinová kosť
sphenoid in Slovenian: Zagozdnica
sphenoid in Finnish: Kitaluu
sphenoid in Thai: กระดูกสฟีนอยด์
sphenoid in Ukrainian: Клиноподібна кістка
sphenoid in Chinese: 蝶骨