Sphenoid bone

Sphenoid bone

Anatomy

Unpaired bone at base of skull, in front of temporal bones, behind eye socket. Looks like bat or butterfly from front. Made up of body, greater and lesser wings, and pterygoid processes. Body has sella tursica in which pituitary gland sits.

Clinical

Called “Keystone bone of cranium”, as it articulates with all other cranial bones (ethmoid, frontal, occipital, temporals and parietals).

Vignette

Sella tursica (Latin); Turkish saddle.

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