Pterion

Pterion.PNG

Pterion is the region on the skull where the frontal bone, parietal bone, temporal bone, and sphenoid bone join together. It is located on the side of the skull, just behind the temple. The pterion is clinically significant because it overlies the course of the middle meningeal artery, which can be vulnerable to injury in cases of trauma to the head.

Anatomy

The pterion is formed by the junction of four bones:

• The frontal bone anteriorly
• The parietal bone superiorly
• The temporal bone inferiorly
• The sphenoid bone posteriorly

The pterion is considered the weakest part of the skull and is located approximately 4 cm above the midpoint of the zygomatic arch and 3 cm behind the zygomatic process of the frontal bone.

Clinical Significance

The pterion is an important landmark in neurosurgery and trauma surgery. Due to its proximity to the middle meningeal artery, a fracture at the pterion can lead to an epidural hematoma, a potentially life-threatening condition where blood accumulates between the dura mater and the skull. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent severe complications.

Etymology

The term "pterion" is derived from the Greek word "pteron," meaning "wing," which refers to the wing-like shape of the sphenoid bone in this region.

See Also

• Skull
• Middle meningeal artery
• Epidural hematoma
• Neurosurgery
• Trauma surgery