A mental hook for learning the three-dimensional anatomy of the sphenoid bone: an angelic resemblance

Abstract

The sphenoid bone seems to resemble a biblical angel. The angel had six wings, and used two to cover the eyes (lesser wings with optic canal representing the eyes), two to fly (greater wings), and two (broad lateral pterygoid plates) to cover the feet (medial pterygoid plates with hamulus). This illustration may help surgical trainees to conceptualise and understand the clinical implications of this wide-ranging bone.