Facts about Sphenoid Bone

1. 05

   Foramen rotundum, an opening in the greater wing of the sphenoid bone, transmits the maxillary branch of the trigeminal nerve.

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2. 04

   Paired air-filled cavities called the sphenoid sinuses are contained within the body of the sphenoid bone and drain into the nasal cavity.

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3. 03

   A paired set of openings called the optic canals passes through the sphenoid bone, transmitting the optic nerves from the eyes to the brain.

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4. 02

   Located within the sphenoid bone is the sella turcica, a saddle-shaped depression that houses and protects the pituitary gland.

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5. 01

   The sphenoid bone is a butterfly-shaped cranial bone that forms part of the base of the skull and articulates with all other cranial bones.

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