Temporal surface of greater wing

The temporal surface of greater wing of the sphenoid bone is found on its outer side, above the infratemporal crest. This area helps form the bony floor of the temporal fossa, wherein it articulates with three other bones: the frontal, parietal, and the squamous temporal bone, creating an area known as the pterion. The pterion is a particularly fragile area of the skull that's easily broken by a hit to the temple. Such an injury can cause the underlying middle meningeal artery to rupture within the cranial cavity, possibly leading to an extradural hemorrhage.

The temporal surface of greater wing, along with the frontal, parietal, and squamous temporal bones, serves as the attachment site for the temporalis muscle fibers. These muscles play an essential role in mastication or chewing.