Greater wing of sphenoid bone

Greater Wing of Sphenoid Bone

Animation of the sphenoid bone, highlighting the greater wing

The Greater Wing of Sphenoid Bone is a prominent part of the sphenoid bone, one of the seven bones that make up the human skull. It is a bilateral structure, with each wing extending laterally from the body of the sphenoid bone.

Anatomy

The greater wing of the sphenoid bone is a flat, triangular plate that forms the anterior wall of the middle cranial fossa. It is marked by numerous foramina, including the foramen rotundum, foramen ovale, and foramen spinosum, which allow for the passage of nerves and blood vessels.

Greater wing of sphenoid bone, shown in red

Function

The greater wing of the sphenoid bone serves several important functions. It provides a surface for the attachment of muscles that move the jaw and neck, and it forms part of the floor and lateral wall of the middle cranial fossa, providing protection for the brain. It also forms part of the orbit, the bony socket that houses the eye.

Clinical Significance

Due to its location and the numerous foramina it contains, the greater wing of the sphenoid bone can be involved in various medical conditions. For example, fractures of the greater wing can lead to cranial nerve damage, while tumors or other growths can compress the nerves and blood vessels that pass through the foramina.

See Also

• Sphenoid bone
• Skull
• Middle cranial fossa