pterygoid

Pterygoid refers to structures associated with the pterygoid region of the sphenoid bone and to the pterygoid muscles of mastication. The term derives from Greek pteryx, meaning “wing,” reflecting the wing-like projections involved.

Anatomy of the pterygoid region centers on the two pterygoid processes of the sphenoid bone: the medial pterygoid plate and the lateral pterygoid plate. These projections descend from the sphenoid’s greater wing and form part of the skull base and the lateral walls of the pterygopalatine and infratemporal fossae. The medial plate bears the pterygoid canal and gives origin to the medial pterygoid muscle; the lateral plate provides origin for the lateral pterygoid and contributes to the margins of the sphenoid and infratemporal fossae. The pterygoid hamulus is a hook-like process at the inferior end of the medial plate, serving as a pulley for the tendon of the tensor veli palatini.

Muscles: Lateral pterygoid, with superior and inferior heads, originates from the infratemporal surface of the sphenoid and the lateral pterygoid plate and inserts into the pterygoid fovea on the neck of the mandible and the articular disc of the temporomandibular joint. It protrudes and depresses the mandible and mediates complex jaw movements. Medial pterygoid originates from the medial pterygoid plate and the maxillary tuberosity, and inserts on the medial surface of the mandible near the angle. It elevates the mandible and works with other muscles of mastication. Innervation for both muscles comes from branches of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve (V3).

Clinical relevance: The pterygoid region is central to the infratemporal and pterygopalatine fossae, with surgical access and nerve blocks targeting V3 branches. Fractures, tumors, or pathologies in this area can affect mastication and related nerves, including involvement in temporomandibular joint disorders.