basisphenoid
Basisphenoid is a term used in vertebrate anatomy to describe a portion of the skull base. It historically denotes a distinct bone in the posterior part of the braincase, lying in the cranial base between the basioccipital bone behind it and the presphenoid in front. In many mammals, including humans, the basisphenoid elements fuse during development to form the body of the sphenoid; as a result, the basisphenoid is not a separate bone in the adult skull. In other vertebrates and in fossil taxa, the basisphenoid may remain as a distinct ossification and participate in the architecture of the skull base.
Function and relations: The basisphenoid contributes to the floor of the cranial cavity and serves as one
Etymology and usage: The name derives from Greek basis (base) and sphenoid (wedge-shaped). The term is most