Sphenoid bone
![](/Images/godic/202502/04/Cranial_bones_en.svg5908.png")
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![Seven bones articulate to form the orbit. The sphenoid bone is shown as pink (directly in the middle of the orbital cavity)](/Images/godic/202502/04/Orbital_bones5908.png")
![Wedge-shaped sphenoid bone seen laterally](/Images/godic/202502/04/Gray1645908.png")
The sphenoid bone is an unpaired bone of the neurocranium. It is situated in the middle of the skull towards the front, in front of the temporal bone and the basilar part of the occipital bone. The sphenoid bone is one of the seven bones that articulate to form the orbit. Its shape somewhat resembles that of a butterfly or bat with its wings extended.