Infratemporal surface of greater wing

The infratemporal surface of greater wing is oriented mostly horizontally and, together with the squamous temporal bone, helps form the roof of the infratemporal fossa. This surface is divided from the vertically arranged temporal surface by the infratemporal crest. Parts of the roof, namely the greater wing of sphenoid and the infratemporal crest, provide points of attachment for the upper head of the lateral pterygoid muscle, which plays a role in chewing.

Located on this surface are the foramen ovale and foramen spinosum. The foramen ovale allows the mandibular nerve to pass through as it enters the infratemporal fossa, while the foramen spinosum provides a path for the middle meningeal artery, branching from the maxillary artery, to enter the cranial cavity.

The infratemporal surface of greater wing also features a bony projection known as the spine of the sphenoid bone, positioned behind and to the side of the foramen spinosum. This spine serves as an attachment point for the sphenomandibular ligament and some fibers of the tensor tympani muscle. Furthermore, it's important to note that the chorda tympani nerve, emerging from the petrotympanic fissure at the rear of the infratemporal fossa's roof, travels medial to the spine of the sphenoid on its way to meet the lingual nerve.