Pictorial review: radiology of the sphenoid bone

The sphenoid bone is located in the central skull base and forms part of the floor of the anterior and middle cranial fossae. The optic foramen, superior orbital fissure, foramen rotundum, foramen ovale and foramen spinosum are found within this complex bone. These foramina form important transition zones between intracranial and extracranial structures. Imaging plays a central role in delineating lesions within the sphenoid bone and the associated fissures and neural foramina. The purpose of this pictorial review is to highlight the pertinent normal and pathological anatomy of the sphenoid bone.