THE SPHENOID BONE 61 



joined to the basilar part of the occipital; at the Hne of junction there is 

 dorsally a transverse elevation, the spheno-occipital crest (Crista spheno- 

 occipitalis). 



The orbital wings (Ahc orbitales) curve upward and somewhat outward from 

 the sides of the body of the pre-sphenoid. Their inner or cerebral surfaces are 

 concave, and are niarketl l)y digital impressions (Inipressiones digitatie) for tlie gjTi 

 of the cerebrum. The external surface is convex antl is largely concealed by the 

 overlapping temporal wing and the squamous temporal and frontal bones; a 

 narrow part of it (Facies orbitalis) is uncovered on the inner wall of the orbital 

 cavity at the sphenoidal notch of the frontal bone. The dorsal border unites with 

 the frontal bone at the spheno-frontal suture. The anterior border joins the eth- 

 moid atthespheno-ethmoidal suture; at its lower part it concuis with the frontal in 

 the formation of the ethmoidal (or internal orbital) foramen. The posterior border 

 is overlapped by the temporal wing and the squamous temporal. The root of the 

 wing is perforated i)y the optic foramen. Immediately below and behind the latter 

 (i. e., beneath the root) is the foramen lacerum orbitale or orbital fissure. Below 

 this, and separated from it usually by a thin ])late, is a larger opening, the foramen 

 rotundum, which is bounded externally by the root of the pterygoid process. Be- 

 hind these foramina is tlic pterygoid crest (Crista ptcrygoidea), which is continued 

 downward and forwartl on the pterygoid process; on its upper part may be found 

 the small and inconstant trochlear (or pathetic) foramen. Just behind the crest 

 is the temporal foramen (For. alare parvum), through which the anterior deep 

 temporal arter\- emerges from the alar canal of the pterygoid process. 



The temporal wings (Alie temporales) extend outward and somewhat upward 

 from the l)ody of the post-sphenoid; they are irregularly quadrilateral in outline. 

 The external surface (Facies temporalis) enters into the formation of the infra- 

 temporal fossa, and bears the pterygoid process on its anterior part; at the junction 

 with the body there is a small groove for the pterygoid nerve. The internal 

 surface (Facies cerebralis) presents, at the junction with the body, two longitudinal 

 grooves (Sulci nervorum). The outer groove is the larger, and leads forward to 

 the foramen rotundum; it contains the maxillary nerve. The inner groove con- 

 ducts to the orbital fissure, and contains the third, sixth, and ophthalmic nerves. 

 The outer groove is bounded externally by a thin overhanging crest, on which is a 

 small groove for the fourth nerve. The remainder of the surface is concave and 

 supports the pyriform lobe of the lirain. The dorsal border joins the squamous 

 temporal at the spheno-squamous suture. The anterior border joins the orbital 

 wing. The posterior border forms the anterior boundary of the foramen lacerum; 

 it presents three notches, which are (from within outward) the carotid, oval, and 

 spinous (Incisura carotica, ovaHs, spinosa). The angle of junction of the dorsal 

 and posterior Ijorders articulates with the parietal bone. 



The pterygoid processes (Processus pterygoidei) arise from the temporal wings 

 and the body. They project dowTiward and forward, and curve outward at the 

 lower part. The root is perforated by the alar canal (Canalis alaris),^ which 

 transmits the internal maxillary artery. From this canal a branch leads upward 

 and forward to open at the temporal foramen. The external surface is concave, and 

 is marked by lines for muscular attachment. The internal surface is largely con- 

 cealed by the overlapping palate and pterygoid bones, with which it concurs in the 

 formation of the pterygoid or Vidian canal. 



Development. — The sphenoid is ossified in cartilage, and consists in early life 

 of two distinct parts, the pre-sphenoid and post-sphenoid. The former develops 

 from two centers, one in each wing; the latter has three centers, one for the body 

 and one for each wing. The pterygoid processes ossify from the centers of the 

 temporal wings. 



1 This is also called the subsphenoidal canal or pterygoid foramen. 



