The sphenoidal process of the

palatine bone In anatomy, the palatine bones () are two irregular bones of the facial skeleton in many animal species, located above the uvula in the throat. Together with the maxillae, they comprise the hard palate. (''Palate'' is derived from the Latin ...

is a thin, compressed plate, much smaller than the orbital, and directed upward and medialward. It presents three surfaces and two borders. * The superior surface articulates with the root of the pterygoid process and the under surface of the sphenoidal concha, its medial border reaching as far as the ala of the vomer; it presents a groove which contributes to the formation of the pharyngeal canal. * The medial surface is concave, and forms part of the lateral wall of the nasal cavity. * The lateral surface is divided into an articular and a non-articular portion: the former is rough, for articulation with the medial pterygoid plate; the latter is smooth, and forms part of the pterygopalatine fossa. * The anterior border forms the posterior boundary of the sphenopalatine notch. * The posterior border, serrated at the expense of the outer table, articulates with the medial pterygoid plate. The orbital and sphenoidal processes are separated from one another by the sphenopalatine notch. Sometimes the two processes are united above, and form between them a complete foramen, or the notch may be crossed by one or more spicules of bone, giving rise to two or more foramina.

Additional images

File:Gray167.png, Articulation of left palatine bone with maxilla. File:Gray187.png, Base of skull. Inferior surface.

References

Bones of the head and neck {{musculoskeletal-stub