Sphenoid bone (anterior view) (Latin)

The anterior surface of the corpus ossis sphenoidalis features the crista sphenoidea in the midline via which it articulates with the lamina perpendicularis ossis ethmoidalis, contributing to the formation of the septum nasi. On each side of the crest is the concha sphenoidalis which partially encloses the sinus sphenoidalis. The superolateral part of the sinus remains open and communicates with the cavitas nasi.The root of the ala major features two openings: the foramen rotundum and canalis pterygoideus. The foramen rotundum is traversed by the nervus maxillaries (CN V2), while the canalis pterygoideus (Vidii) transmits the a. and n. canalis pterygoidei. From an anterior perspective the facies orbitalis, temporalis and maxillaris alae majoris are visible. The facies orbitalis contributes to the lateral part of the orbita. The facies temporalis faces laterally and is divided by the crista infratemporalis into superior and inferior portions. The superior portion contributes to the wall of the fossa temporalis, while the inferior portion forms a part of the fossa infratemporalis. The facies maxillaris faces the maxilla. The spina ossis sphenoidalis points inferiorly from the lower margin of the facies temporalis, providing the attachment site for the lig. sphenomandibulare.The processus pterygoideus extends inferiorly from the root of the ala major. It bifurcates into the lamina lateralis and lamina medialis, between which is a space called the incisura pterygoidea. The very tip of the medial plate is called the hamulus pterygoideus.