Spine of sphenoid bone

The great wings, or alae-sphenoids, are two strong processes of bone, which arise from the sides of the body, and are curved upward, lateralward, and backward; the posterior part of each projects as a triangular process which fits into the angle between the squama and the petrous portion of the temporal bone and presents at its apex a downwardly directed process, the spina angularis (sphenoidal spine). It serves as the origin for the sphenomandibular ligament.

Base of skull. Inferior surface. Spine of sphenoid bone marked with black circle.

References

This article incorporates text in the public domain from the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

External links

• Anatomy figure: 27:02-04 at Human Anatomy Online, SUNY Downstate Medical Center - "Schematic view of key landmarks of the infratemporal fossa."
• Anatomy diagram: 34257.000-1 at Roche Lexicon - illustrated navigator, Elsevier