Pronunciation: [tˈi͡əɹɪən] (IPA) 
Pterion, pronounced /ˈtɛrɪən/, is a anatomical term used to describe the point where four skull bones meet. The word comes from the Greek πτερίον, meaning 'wing', most likely referring to the wing-like appearance of this skull region. The spelling of "pterion" may seem confusing due to the silent "p" at the start, but it is actually a common feature in many Greek-derived words in English, such as "psychology" and "pneumonia".
A pterion is a specific anatomical point located on the side of the skull where four different cranial bones converge: the frontal bone, the parietal bone, the sphenoid bone, and the temporal bone. It is characterized by its wing-like appearance, resembling the shape of a butterfly. The pterion is classically positioned approximately 2.5 centimeters above the midpoint of the zygomatic arch and 1 centimeter behind the frontozygomatic suture.
The pterion plays a significant role in medical and surgical fields due to its proximity to major blood vessels and delicate structures within the skull. Notably, the middle meningeal artery, a branch of the maxillary artery, runs beneath the pterion. This vascular supply is susceptible to injury in cases of trauma, leading to potentially severe conditions like extradural hematoma.
Moreover, the pterion is adjacent to the temporal fossa, which houses important structures such as the temporalis muscle and deep temporal arteries. This region is also relevant for various neurosurgical procedures and is a common site for craniotomies, a surgical technique that involves opening the skull to access the brain.
Overall, the pterion serves as a crucial anatomical landmark for medical professionals, aiding in the evaluation of cranial injuries, surgical planning, and the understanding of the intricate structures of the skull.
A craniometric point in the region of the anterolateral, or sphenoid, fontanelle, at the junction of the great wing of the sphenoid, the squamous temporal, the frontal, and the parietal bones.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "pterion" is derived from the Greek word "pteron" (πτέρον), meaning "wing" or "feather". The term specifically refers to a region on the side of the skull where several bones meet, forming a butterfly-like shape. The word "pterion" was coined by the ancient Greek physician Galen, who compared the shape of this anatomical structure to the wings of a bird or insect.
