sphenoid

1 of 2

adjective

sphe·​noid ˈsfē-ˌnȯid 

variants or sphenoidal

sfi-ˈnȯi-dᵊl 

1

: of, relating to, or being a winged compound bone of the base of the cranium

2

usually sphenoidal : having a wedged shape

sphenoid

2 of 2

noun

: a sphenoid bone

Examples of sphenoid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

But occasionally, infections can occur in a region called the sphenoid sinus, located behind the eyes near the optic nerve. —Amanda MacMillan, Health.com, 16 Mar. 2018

Noun

But occasionally, infections can occur in a region called the sphenoid sinus, located behind the eyes near the optic nerve. —Amanda MacMillan, Health, 9 Aug. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

New Latin sphenoides, from Greek sphēnoeidēs wedge-shaped, from sphēn wedge

First Known Use

Adjective

1732, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1828, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

sphenoid

1 of 2 adjective

sphe·​noid ˈsfē-ˌnȯid 

variants or sphenoidal

sfē-ˈnȯid-ᵊl 

: of, relating to, or being a compound bone of the base of the cranium of various vertebrates formed by the fusion of several bony elements with the basisphenoid and in humans consisting of a median body from whose sides extend a pair of broad curved winglike expansions in front of which is another pair of much smaller triangular lateral processes while ventrally two large deeply cleft processes extend downward see greater wing, lesser wing

sphenoid

2 of 2 noun

: a sphenoid bone