What’s particularly unique about the sphenoid bone, is that on its cranial surface, the body has a deeply concave surface called the sella turcica. It is bordered by the anterior, middle and posterior clinoid processes, which are points of attachment for the dura mater of the brain.

Why is the sphenoid bone important to vision?

The lesser wings and the body of the sphenoid form the optic canal. It is through this canal that the optic nerve (II) passes from the brain to the eyes.

How does the sphenoid bone move?

Within the brain, the cranial pumping mechanism known to circulate the CSF occurs where the sphenoid bone articulates with the basilar portion of the occiput bone. … This release of pressure causes the spheno-basilar junction to move slightly anterior and superior.

What nerves run through the sphenoid bone?

The oculomotor, trochlear, and abducens nerves; the first division of the trigeminal nerve; and the optic vein pass through the superior orbital fissure. The borders of the superior orbital fissure are the ala minor and major, and medially the body of the sphenoid bone.

What muscles attach to sphenoid?

  • Lateral and medial pterygoid muscles.
  • Lateral rectus muscle.
  • Pterygoideus externus muscle.
  • Tensor veli palatini muscle.
  • Sphenomandibular ligament.
  • Temporalis muscle.
  • Superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle.

Why is the sphenoid bone considered the key bone of the skull?

Sphenoid bone: A prominent, irregular, wedge-shaped bone at the base of the skull. The sphenoid bone has been called the ‘keystone’ of the cranial floor because it is in contact with all of the other cranial bones.

What brain structure does the sphenoid protect?

Sphenoid bone primarily consists of a centrally positioned body, which surrounds and protects the pituitary gland, and two sets of lateral, wing-like extensions called the greater and lesser wings.

What is the relationship between the sphenoid bone and the pituitary gland?

The pituitary gland or hypophysis is a small gland about 1 centimeter in diameter or the size of a pea. It is nearly surrounded by bone as it rests in the sella turcica, a depression in the sphenoid bone. The gland is connected to the hypothalamus of the brain by a slender stalk called the infundibulum.

What bones does the sphenoid bone articulate with?

The articulations of the sphenoid are with the frontal, parietal, ethmoid, zygomatic, temporal, occipital, palatine, and vomer bones.

Is sphenoid a facial bone?

The Viserocranium. The viscerocranium or facial bones supports the soft tissue of the face. The viscerocranium consists of 14 individual bones that fuse together. However, the hyoid bone, ethmoid bone, and sphenoid bones are sometimes included in the viscerocranium.

Article first time published on

Where is the sphenoid bone located in the skull?

An unpaired bone located in the cranium (or skull), the sphenoid bone, also known as the “wasp bone,” is located in the middle and toward the front of the skull, just in front of the occipital bone.

Which feature of the sphenoid protects the pituitary gland?

The sella turcica of the sphenoid bone protects the pituitary gland from my shocks or damages.

Which foramen penetrate the greater wings of the sphenoid bone?

foramen ovale, which allows the passage of the mandibular nerve, accessory meningeal artery, lesser petrosal nerve and emissary vein (mnemonic “MALE”) foramen spinosum, that is traversed by the middle meningeal vessels, spinous nerve [branch of mandibular nerve]) lies at the posterior margin of the greater wings.

Which bones protect the brain?

The skull protects the brain and forms the shape of the face. The spinal cord, a pathway for messages between the brain and the body, is protected by the backbone, or spinal column.

What is the function of occipital condyles?

The occipital condyles are paired kidney-shaped structures that form the base of the occipital bone and are the structural bases for the articulation of the skull with the cervical spine.

What is the strongest bone among the bones of the face?

Your mandible, or jawbone, is the largest, strongest bone in your face.

What is the largest bone of the head?

The skull is composed of two parts: the cranium and the mandible. In humans, these two parts are the neurocranium and the viscerocranium (facial skeleton) that includes the mandible as its largest bone.

What bones make up the bridge of the nose?

Each of the following facial bones are paired: the maxillae form the upper jaw and front of the hard palate; the zygomatic bones form the cheeks; the nasal bones form the bridge of the nose; the lacrimal bones form part of the orbit, or eye socket; the palatine bones form the rear of the hard palate and the inferior …

Does the sphenoid bone contains a sinus?

Also, several fissures and foramina exist in the sphenoid, which transports several blood vessels and nerves of the skull to the head and neck. The body of the sphenoid has a cavity with a sinus that communicates with the nasal cavity.

Is the sphenoid a irregular bone?

The irregular bones are: the vertebrC&, sacrum, coccyx, temporal, sphenoid, ethmoid, zygomatic, maxilla, mandible, palatine, inferior nasal concha, and hyoid.

What does your pituitary gland control?

The pituitary gland is called the ‘master gland’ as the hormones it produces control so many different processes in the body. … Through secretion of its hormones, the pituitary gland controls metabolism, growth, sexual maturation, reproduction, blood pressure and many other vital physical functions and processes.

Which bones are just inferior to the Glabella?

A horizontal plate that forms the roof of the nasal cavity and closes the anterior part of the base of the cranium. The nasal bones lie directly inferior to the glabella. They from the bridge of the nose and the dome over the superior portion of the nasal cavity.