open access

Vol 78, No 4 (2019)
Case report
Submitted: 2019-01-15
Accepted: 2019-02-12
Published online: 2019-02-25
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Bilateral giant and unilateral duplicated sphenoidal tubercle

M. C. Rusu1, R. C. Ciuluvică1, A. D. Vrapciu1, A. L. Chiriţă1, M. Predoiu1, N. Măru1
·
Pubmed: 30816551
·
Folia Morphol 2019;78(4):893-897.
Affiliations
  1. Division of Anatomy, Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania

open access

Vol 78, No 4 (2019)
CASE REPORTS
Submitted: 2019-01-15
Accepted: 2019-02-12
Published online: 2019-02-25

Abstract

The sphenoidal tubercle (SphT), also known as pyramidal tubercle or infratemporal spine projects from the anterior end of the infratemporal crest of the greater sphenoidal wing. As it masquerades the lateral entrance in the pterygopalatine fossa it could obstruct surgical corridors or the access for anaesthetic punctures. The SphT is, however, an overlooked structure in the anatomical literature. During a routine cone beam computed tomography study in an adult male patient we found bilateral giant SphTs transforming the infratemporal surfaces of the greater wing into veritable pterygoid foveae. Moreover, on one side the SphT appeared bifid, with a main giant partition, of 9.17 mm vertical length, and a secondary laminar one. The opposite SphT had 14.80 mm. In our knowledge, such giant and bifid SphTs were not reported previously and are major obstacles if surgical access towards the pterygopalatine fossa and the skull base is intended.

Abstract

The sphenoidal tubercle (SphT), also known as pyramidal tubercle or infratemporal spine projects from the anterior end of the infratemporal crest of the greater sphenoidal wing. As it masquerades the lateral entrance in the pterygopalatine fossa it could obstruct surgical corridors or the access for anaesthetic punctures. The SphT is, however, an overlooked structure in the anatomical literature. During a routine cone beam computed tomography study in an adult male patient we found bilateral giant SphTs transforming the infratemporal surfaces of the greater wing into veritable pterygoid foveae. Moreover, on one side the SphT appeared bifid, with a main giant partition, of 9.17 mm vertical length, and a secondary laminar one. The opposite SphT had 14.80 mm. In our knowledge, such giant and bifid SphTs were not reported previously and are major obstacles if surgical access towards the pterygopalatine fossa and the skull base is intended.

Get Citation

Keywords

greater wing of the sphenoid bone, pterygopalatine fossa, cone beam computed tomography, infratemporal fossa, maxillary nerve

About this article
Title

Bilateral giant and unilateral duplicated sphenoidal tubercle

Journal

Folia Morphologica

Issue

Vol 78, No 4 (2019)

Article type

Case report

Pages

893-897

Published online

2019-02-25

Page views

1474

Article views/downloads

749

DOI

10.5603/FM.a2019.0019

Pubmed

30816551

Bibliographic record

Folia Morphol 2019;78(4):893-897.

Keywords

greater wing of the sphenoid bone
pterygopalatine fossa
cone beam computed tomography
infratemporal fossa
maxillary nerve

Authors

M. C. Rusu
R. C. Ciuluvică
A. D. Vrapciu
A. L. Chiriţă
M. Predoiu
N. Măru

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