Question

The lesser and greater wings of the sphenoid are in the ________ and ________ cranial

fossae, respectively.
A) anterior; posterior
B) anterior; middle
C) middle; posterior
D) posterior; middle

Answer 1

The lesser wings of the sphenoid bone form the boundary between the anterior and middle cranial fossae, and the greater wings form the anterior wall of the middle cranial fossa. Thus, the answer is B) anterior; middle.

Step-by-step explanation:

The lesser and greater wings of the sphenoid bone are significant land formations of the skull, dividing the cranial fossae.

The lesser wings of the sphenoid bone are lateral extensions that form the bony lip separating the anterior and middle cranial fossae.

Meanwhile, the greater wings are lateral projections of the sphenoid bone that form the anterior wall of the middle cranial fossa and an area of the lateral skull.

Therefore, these formations associate the lesser wings with the anterior cranial fossa and the greater wings with the middle cranial fossa.

To answer the student's question: The lesser and greater wings of the sphenoid are in the anterior and middle cranial fossae, respectively. Hence, the correct answer is B) anterior; middle.