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sphenoid

Pronunciation: /ˈsfiːnɔɪd/

Anatomy
Definition of sphenoid

noun

  • (also sphenoid bone) a compound bone which forms the base of the cranium, behind the eye and below the front part of the brain. It has two pairs of broad lateral ‘wings’ and a number of other projections, and contains two air-filled sinuses.

adjective

  • relating to the sphenoid bone.

Derivatives

sphenoidal

Pronunciation: /-ˈnɔɪd(ə)l/

adjective

Origin:

mid 18th century: from modern Latin sphenoides, from Greek sphēnoeidēs, from sphēn 'wedge'

sphenoid in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of sphenoid in the US English dictionary

Nearby words

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