| processus pterygoideus | A long process extending downward from the junction of the body and great wing of the sphenoid bone on either side; it is formed of two plates (lateral and medial), united anteriorly but separated below to form the pterygoid notch; the pterygoid fossa is formed by the divergence of these two plates posteriorly. Synonym: processus pterygoideus, os pterygoideum. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| canalis pterygoideus | An opening through the base of the medial pterygoid process of the sphenoid bone through which pass the artery, vein, and nerve of the pterygoid canal. Synonym: canalis pterygoideus, vidian canal. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| plexus pterygoideus | A venous plexus occupying the infratemporal fossa receiving veins accompanying the branches of the maxillary artery, and terminating posteriorly in the maxillary vein; anteriorly the pterygoid plexus drains via the deep facial vein into the facial vein. Synonym: plexus pterygoideus. (05 Mar 2000) |
| musculus pterygoideus externus | <anatomy, muscle> Origin, inferior head from lateral lamina of pterygoid process; superior head from infratemporal crest and adjacent greater wing of the sphenoid; insertion, into pterygoid pit of mandible and articular disk; action, brings jaw forward, opens jaw; nerve supply, nerve to lateral pterygoid from mandibular division of trigeminal. Synonym: musculus pterygoideus lateralis, external pterygoid muscle, musculus pterygoideus externus. (05 Mar 2000) |
| musculus pterygoideus internus | <anatomy, muscle> Origin, pterygoid fossa of sphenoid and tuberosity of maxilla; insertion, medial surface of mandible between angle and mylohyoid groove; action, elevates mandible closing jaw; nerve supply, nerve to medial pterygoid from mandibular division of trigeminal. Synonym: musculus pterygoideus medialis, internal pterygoid muscle, musculus pterygoideus internus. (05 Mar 2000) |
| musculus pterygoideus lateralis | <anatomy, muscle> Origin, inferior head from lateral lamina of pterygoid process; superior head from infratemporal crest and adjacent greater wing of the sphenoid; insertion, into pterygoid pit of mandible and articular disk; action, brings jaw forward, opens jaw; nerve supply, nerve to lateral pterygoid from mandibular division of trigeminal. Synonym: musculus pterygoideus lateralis, external pterygoid muscle, musculus pterygoideus externus. (05 Mar 2000) |
| musculus pterygoideus medialis | <anatomy, muscle> Origin, pterygoid fossa of sphenoid and tuberosity of maxilla; insertion, medial surface of mandible between angle and mylohyoid groove; action, elevates mandible closing jaw; nerve supply, nerve to medial pterygoid from mandibular division of trigeminal. Synonym: musculus pterygoideus medialis, internal pterygoid muscle, musculus pterygoideus internus. (05 Mar 2000) |
| hamulus pterygoideus | The inferior, hook-shaped extremity of the medial plate of the pterygoid process. Synonym: hamulus pterygoideus, hamular process of sphenoid bone. (05 Mar 2000) |
| nervus pterygoideus | <anatomy, nerve> One of two motor branches, lateral and medial, of the mandibular nerve, supplying the lateral and medial pterygoid muscles with fibres of the motor root of the trigeninal nerve. Synonym: nervus pterygoideus. (05 Mar 2000) |
| vagina processus styloidei | A crest of bone (edge of the tympanic portion of the temporal bone) running from the front and medial side of the mastoid process to the spine of the sphenoid; it splits to ensheath the base of the styloid process. Synonym: vagina processus styloidei, vaginal process. (05 Mar 2000) |
| valvula processus vermiformis | A fold of mucous membrane, simulating a valve, sometimes found at the origin of the vermiform appendix. Synonym: Gerlach's valve, valvula processus vermiformis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| vestige of processus vaginalis | Incompletely obliterated remnants of the vaginal process of the peritoneum remaining in the spermatic cord. Synonym: vestigium processus vaginalis, vestige of vaginal process. (05 Mar 2000) |
| vestigium processus vaginalis | Incompletely obliterated remnants of the vaginal process of the peritoneum remaining in the spermatic cord. Synonym: vestigium processus vaginalis, vestige of vaginal process. (05 Mar 2000) |
| mesenteriolum processus vermiformis | The short mesentery of the appendix lying behind the terminal ileum, in which the appendicular artery courses. Synonym: mesenteriolum processus vermiformis, mesentery of appendix. (05 Mar 2000) |
| processus | Synonym: process. Origin: L. See process (05 Mar 2000) |
| processus accessorius | A small apophysis at the posterior part of the base of the transverse process of each of the lumbar vertebrae. Synonym: processus accessorius, accessory tubercle. (05 Mar 2000) |