56 OSTEOLOGY, OR ANATOMY OF OSSEOUS SYSTEM 



The superior surface forms the posterior angle of the floor 

 of the orbit; the external looks into the sphenomaxillary fossa; 

 the anterior articulates with the maxilla, the internal with the 

 ethmoid, and the posterior with the sphenoid. The process is 

 usually hollow, and completes a posterior ethmoidal cell or 

 may open into the sphenoidal sinus. 



Fir,. 8 



Orbital process. 



Splieno 

 palatine for. 



Sphenoidal 



process. 



Superior tnr- 



biiiated crest. 



Inferior tur- 

 hinnti'-d crest. 



Antei*ior tnt^tl 

 spine. 



Palate bone in situ. 



The sphenoidal process curves up and in from the posterior 

 part of the vertical plate. It has three surfaces: the posterior 

 is in contact with the under surface of the body of the sphenoid, 

 and is grooved for the pterygopalcdine canal; the internal sur- 

 face looks into the nasal fossa and touches the ala of the vomer; 

 the external looks into the sphenomaxillary fossa. 



The sphenopalatine notch is between these two processes, 

 converted by the body of the sphenoid into a foramen of the 

 same name. 



