Sphenoidal process of palatine bone

The sphenoidal process of the palatine bone is a thin, compressed plate, much smaller than the orbital, and directed upward and medialward.

Sphenoidal process of palatine bone
Left palatine bone. Nasal aspect. Enlarged.
Left palatine bone. Posterior aspect. Enlarged.
Details
Identifiers
Latin	processus sphenoidalis
TA	A02.1.13.012
FMA	59146
Anatomical terms of bone

It presents three surfaces and two borders.

• The superior surface articulates with the root of the pterygoid process and the under surface of the sphenoidal concha, its medial border reaching as far as the ala of the vomer; it presents a groove which contributes to the formation of the pharyngeal canal.
• The medial surface is concave, and forms part of the lateral wall of the nasal cavity.
• The lateral surface is divided into an articular and a non-articular portion: the former is rough, for articulation with the medial pterygoid plate; the latter is smooth, and forms part of the pterygopalatine fossa.
• The anterior border forms the posterior boundary of the sphenopalatine notch.
• The posterior border, serrated at the expense of the outer table, articulates with the medial pterygoid plate.

The orbital and sphenoidal processes are separated from one another by the sphenopalatine notch. Sometimes the two processes are united above, and form between them a complete foramen, or the notch may be crossed by one or more spicules of bone, giving rise to two or more foramina.

Additional images

• 
  Articulation of left palatine bone with maxilla.
• 
  Base of skull. Inferior surface.

References

This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 169 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)