ptérygoïde

The term ptérygoïde, derived from the Greek word pterygoeides meaning "wing-shaped," refers to a bony process or structure found in the anatomy of certain vertebrates, particularly within the skull. Most notably, the pterygoid bones are a pair of bones located in the posterior part of the palate, forming a significant portion of the roof of the mouth and contributing to the base of the skull. In humans, the pterygoid processes project downwards from the sphenoid bone.

These pterygoid structures serve several important anatomical and functional roles. They provide attachments for muscles involved in mastication, such as the pterygoid muscles, which are crucial for chewing and moving the jaw. The pterygoid plates also contribute to the formation of the pharynx, the part of the throat behind the mouth and nasal cavity.

In non-mammalian vertebrates, the arrangement and prominence of pterygoid bones can vary considerably. For example, in many reptiles and amphibians, the pterygoids are more extensive and play a more significant role in jaw articulation and cranial kinesis, the ability of the skull to move. The specific shape and size of pterygoid structures can be important diagnostic features in paleontology for identifying and classifying fossil species. Beyond bone, the term can occasionally be used in a more general sense to describe any wing-like projection.