Pterygoid process
/ˈtɛrɪˌɡɔɪd/
noun
1.
(anatomy) either of two long bony plates extending downwards from each side of the sphenoid bone within the skull
pterygoid process n.
A long process of the sphenoid bone extending downward from the junction of its body and great wing.
Read Also:
- Pterygomandibular
pterygomandibular pter·y·go·man·dib·u·lar (těr’ĭ-gō-mān-dĭb’yə-lər) adj. Relating to the pterygoid process and the mandible.
- Pterygomaxillary
pterygomaxillary pter·y·go·max·il·lar·y (těr’ĭ-gō-māk’sə-lěr’ē) adj. Relating to the pterygoid process and the maxilla.
- Pterygopalatine
pterygopalatine pter·y·go·pal·a·tine (těr’ĭ-gō-pāl’ə-tīn’) adj. Relating to the pterygoid process and the palatine bone.
- Pterygopalatine canal
pterygopalatine canal n. The canal that is formed between the maxilla and palatine bones and transmits the descending palatine artery and the greater palatine nerve.
- Pterygopalatine ganglion
pterygopalatine ganglion n. A small parasympathetic ganglion in the upper pterygopalatine fossa whose postsynaptic fibers supply the lacrimal and nasal glands. Also called sphenopalatine ganglion.