Cerebral surface of greater wing

The cerebral surface of greater wing refers to its superior surface. It forms part of the middle cranial fossa’s floor on each side of the body of sphenoid bone. Together with the squamous part of the temporal bone, the cerebral surface of greater wing shapes the concave depressions of the middle cranial fossa that house the right and left temporal lobes of the brain.

This area of the sphenoid bone contains several vital openings that act as conduits for cranial nerves. Among these is the foramen rotundum, through which the maxillary nerve travels to the pterygopalatine fossa. Close by, posterolateral to it, lies the foramen ovale that allows the mandibular nerve to enter the infratemporal fossa. This foramen also facilitates the passage of the accessory meningeal artery, the lesser petrosal nerve, and an emissary vein that links the cavernous sinus with the pterygoid plexus of veins. Further posterolaterally, the foramen spinosum is located, providing a passageway for the middle meningeal artery and the meningeal branch of the mandibular nerve into the cranial cavity. Additional, smaller foramina found on the cerebral surface of greater wing include the foramen venosum and the foramen petrosum.