The word pterygoid notch, pronounced /ˈtɛrɪɡɔɪd nɒtʃ/, refers to a V-shaped indentation on each side of the skull. The spelling of this word can be attributed to its origin from two Greek words, "pteryx" meaning wing and "eidos" meaning form. The term was coined because the shape of the indentation resembles a wing. This unique term is often used in dental and medical anatomy and can be tricky to spell correctly due to its uncommon use of consonants and vowel combinations.
The pterygoid notch is a bony anatomical feature located in the skull. Specifically, it is a small, concave depression found in the sphenoid bone, which contributes to the formation of the lateral wall of the cranial cavity. The term "pterygoid" is derived from the Greek words "pteryx" and "eidos," meaning "wing-like" and "shape" respectively, referring to the wing-like extensions of the sphenoid bone that surround the notch.
Situated between the pterygoid processes of the sphenoid bone, the pterygoid notch serves as an important landmark for various structures and functions within the skull. It provides passage and attachment points for muscles, ligaments, and nerves involved in chewing and jaw movement, such as the pterygoid muscles and the mandibular nerve.
Moreover, the pterygoid notch also interacts with other structures, notably the pterygopalatine fossa and the greater palatine canal. The pterygopalatine fossa, situated behind the maxilla bone, communicates with the pterygoid notch through the pterygomaxillary fissure, allowing the passage of nerves and blood vessels. The greater palatine canal, found on the roof of the oral cavity, originates from the pterygoid notch and transmits the greater palatine vessels and nerve.
In summary, the pterygoid notch is a small concavity within the sphenoid bone, forming part of the cranial cavity's lateral wall. Its distinct location and connections to various anatomical structures make it an essential feature in the study of cranial anatomy and its associated functions.
Fissura pterygoidea.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word pterygoid comes from the Greek word pteryx, meaning wing, and the suffix -oid, meaning resembling. The term notch originated from the Middle English word noche, which in turn derived from the Old French word nocche. Ultimately, the etymology of pterygoid notch can be understood as the wing-like notch or notch resembling a wing.