sphenoid
1 of 2adjective
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 2noun
: a sphenoid bone
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
Amanda Macmillan, Health.com, 16 Mar. 2018
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 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 2noun
: a sphenoid bone