Greater And Lesser Wing Of Sphenoid Bone

The greater wing or ali sphenoid of the sphenoid bone is a process which projects from either side of the lower part of the sphenoid body at a common junction with the pterygoid process. Transmits the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve accessory meningeal artery and occasionally the lesser petrosal nerve.

Sphenoid Bone

In some animals they remain as separate bones called orbitosphenoids.

Greater and lesser wing of sphenoid bone. The main parts of the sphenoid bone are. The lesser wings of the sphenoid or orbito sphenoids are two thin triangular plates which arise from the upper and anterior parts of the body and projecting lateralward end in sharp points fig. There are four main parts to the sphenoid bone.

It contains the sphenoidal sinuses which are separated by a septum meaning that the sphenoid body is essentially hollow. It consists of a body paired greater wings and lesser wings and two pterygoid processes. The greater wings of the sphenoid are two strong processes of bone which arise from the sides of the body and are curved upward laterally and backward.

Transmits the maxillary branch of the trigeminal nerve. The sphenoid bone has a central body paired greater and lesser wings that extend laterally from the body of the sphenoid and two pterygoid processes descending from the junction of the body and greater wings. The lesser wing of the sphenoid bone or orbito sphenoid is a sharp pointed triangular plate arising laterally from the upper anterior portion of the sphenoid body.

The body corpus the lesser and greater wings alae minores et majores and the pterygoid processes. The superior surface features. The superior surface is flattened and is in contact with the frontal lobe of the brain.

The inferior surface forms the upper border of the superior. The posterior part of each projects as a triangular process that fits into the angle between the squamous and the petrous part of the temporal bone and presents at its apex a downward directed process the spine of sphenoid bone. It is a paired structure which curves upward backward and laterally from each side of the sphenoid body which can be likened to the extended wings of a bat.

The greater wing of the sphenoid features superior lateral and orbital surfaces. The lesser wing features both superior and inferior surfaces. The body lies at the centre of the sphenoid bone and is almost completely cubical in shape.

Transmits the middle meningeal artery and meningeal branch of the mandibular nerve.

Skill Lab Learning

Sphenoid Bone Definition Location Function Human Anatomy