Lesser wing of sphenoid bone

Anterior view of the sphenoid bone, showing the lesser wing (at top).

The Lesser Wing of Sphenoid Bone is a part of the sphenoid bone, one of the seven bones that make up the orbit in the human skull. It is a thin, triangular plate that arises from the upper and anterior parts of the body of the sphenoid bone.

Structure

The lesser wing of the sphenoid bone is divided into two surfaces and three borders. The superior surface is smooth and forms part of the floor of the anterior cranial fossa. The inferior surface forms part of the roof of the orbit and contains the optic canal, which transmits the optic nerve and ophthalmic artery.

Function

The lesser wing of the sphenoid bone serves as a point of attachment for several muscles and ligaments, contributing to the movement and stability of the eye and surrounding structures. It also forms part of the cranial cavity, protecting the brain and supporting the optic nerve.

Clinical Significance

Damage or abnormalities in the lesser wing of the sphenoid bone can lead to vision problems, as it houses the optic canal. Conditions such as sphenoid wing dysplasia, a characteristic feature of Neurofibromatosis type 1, can affect the structure and function of the lesser wing.

See Also

• Sphenoid bone
• Orbit (anatomy)
• Optic canal
• Neurofibromatosis type 1