Sphenoid bone

The sphenoid bone is one of the cranial bones of the head.


Location and structure:

The sphenoid bone is located:

  • Anterior to the temporal bones, it form the base of cranium - behind the orbitals.
  • It consists of a body, two "wings" and two "pterygoid processes" that project downwards.


Function(s):

The functions of the sphenoid bone include:

  • Mechanical protection of the brain, which is a function that the sphenoid bone performs in conjunction with other bones of the skull.
  • Articulation with the frontal, parietal and temporal bones.

See notes about, and labelled diagrams of, all human cranial and facial bones on one page.

More about Bones and the Skeletal System:

This website includes many pages about bones and the skeletal system. The following pages may be of interest. These also link to further pages about related topics such as specific types of fractures, bone diseases and so on.

For further information see also our pages of books about orthopaedics.

Click for more pages about Bones

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