(anatomy) Of, pertaining to or lying in the region of the inferior part of the sphenoid bone of the vertebrate skull.

(anatomy) A pterygoid part (such as a bone, muscle, or nerve).

plural of pterygoid

(anatomy) Relating to a pterygoid (bone)

(anatomy) Either of two muscles arising respectively from the lateral and medial surfaces of the lateral pterygoid process which serve to move the mandible forwards and to the side.

(neuroanatomy) Either of two branches of the mandibular nerve.

(anatomy) An anteroposterior canal in the base of each medial pterygoid plate of the sphenoid bone that gives passage to the Vidian artery and the Vidian nerve.

(anatomy) Either of two vertical plates making up a pterygoid process of the sphenoid bone.

(anatomy) Each of a pair of projections extending downward from each side of the sphenoid bone in humans and other mammals.

(anatomy) A muscle that arises from the inner surface of the lateral pterygoid plate and from the palatine and maxillary bones, is inserted into the ramus and the gonial angle, cooperates with the masseter and temporalis in elevating the lower jaw, and controls certain lateral and rotary movements of the jaw.