pterygoid

1 of 2

adjective

pter·​y·​goid ˈter-ə-ˌgȯid 

: of, relating to, or lying in the region of the inferior part of the sphenoid bone of the vertebrate skull

pterygoid

2 of 2

noun

: a pterygoid part (such as a bone, muscle, or nerve)

Examples of pterygoid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

After identifying the companion piece and putting the two together, Benito, Field, and colleagues concluded the full structure was a particularly delicate part of the upper palate, a bone called the pterygoid that is key to the jointed upper beak. —Bygretchen Vogel, science.org, 30 Nov. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

New Latin pterygoides, from Greek pterygoeidēs, literally, shaped like a wing, from pteryg-, pteryx wing; akin to Greek pteron wing — more at feather

First Known Use

Adjective

1694, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1822, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing pterygoid

• pterygoid process

Medical Definition

pterygoid

1 of 2 adjective

pter·​y·​goid ˈter-ə-ˌgȯid 

: of, relating to, being, or lying in the region of the inferior part of the sphenoid bone

pterygoid

2 of 2 noun

: a pterygoid part (as a pterygoid muscle or nerve)