Sphenoid Bone Quiz
Questions: 16 · 10 minutes
1. A muscle attachment is found on the lateral surface of the lateral pterygoid plate. Which muscle is associated with this surface?
Temporalis muscle
Lateral pterygoid muscle
Buccinator muscle
Mylohyoid muscle
2. Which opening primarily transmits the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve out of the cranial cavity?
Foramen rotundum
Foramen spinosum
Superior orbital fissure
Foramen ovale
3. A skull-base specimen shows a broad sphenoid region forming part of the middle cranial fossa and containing the foramina ovale and spinosum. Which region is being examined?
Body of the sphenoid
Lesser wing
Medial pterygoid plate
Greater wing
4. In a transsphenoidal approach to the pituitary gland, which route most directly explains the name of the procedure?
Through the greater wing and then the superior orbital fissure
Through the foramen ovale and then the cavernous sinus
Through the sphenoidal sinus and the floor of the sella turcica
Through the lateral pterygoid plate and then the optic canal
5. After trauma near the sphenoid, bleeding from the middle meningeal artery is suspected. Through which opening does this artery normally enter the cranial cavity?
Foramen lacerum
Foramen rotundum
Foramen spinosum
Foramen ovale
6. Within which part of the sphenoid are the sphenoidal sinuses located?
Body
Greater wing
Lesser wing
Lateral pterygoid plate
7. On a skull-base scan, a fissure is seen between the greater and lesser wings of the sphenoid. Which opening is it?
Superior orbital fissure
Inferior orbital fissure
Pterygomaxillary fissure
Petrotympanic fissure
8. A nerve formed by the greater and deep petrosal nerves travels toward the pterygopalatine fossa. Which sphenoid passage carries it?
Optic canal
Pterygoid canal
Foramen rotundum
Palatovaginal canal
9. Which description most accurately identifies the sphenoid bone?
An unpaired bone at the center of the cranial base that also contributes to the orbits
A paired facial bone forming most of the hard palate and upper jaw
An unpaired bone forming the forehead and roof of the orbits
A paired cranial bone forming most of the lateral skull vault
10. Which set lists the principal regions of the sphenoid bone?
Body, greater wings, lesser wings, and pterygoid processes
Body, squamous part, mastoid part, and styloid processes
Body, perpendicular plate, orbital plates, and crista galli
Body, alveolar processes, palatine processes, and frontal processes
11. What is the name of the depression within the sella turcica that accommodates the pituitary gland?
Pterygoid fossa
Hypophyseal fossa
Scaphoid fossa
Mandibular fossa
12. A small hook-like projection is identified at the lower end of the medial pterygoid plate. What is it?
Posterior clinoid process
Anterior clinoid process
Sphenoidal spine
Pterygoid hamulus
13. During examination of the sella turcica, which structure forms the posterior boundary of the hypophyseal fossa?
Tuberculum sellae
Chiasmatic groove
Dorsum sellae
Sphenoidal rostrum
14. A clinician wants to trace the maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve as it leaves the middle cranial fossa. Which sphenoid opening should be followed?
Foramen ovale
Foramen rotundum
Foramen spinosum
Optic canal
15. A surgeon identifies the anterior clinoid processes beside the optic region. These processes project from which parts of the sphenoid?
Medial pterygoid plates
Greater wings
Dorsum sellae
Lesser wings
16. A lesion is confined to the optic canal. Which pair of structures is most directly at risk?
Oculomotor nerve and superior ophthalmic vein
Maxillary nerve and infraorbital artery
Optic nerve and ophthalmic artery
Mandibular nerve and middle meningeal artery