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Sphenoid bone. Coloured X-ray of a superior aspect of the sphenoid bone. This bone forms the lower part of the cranium, which protects and supports the brain. The wings support part of the temporal lobe of the brain and form part of the back and side walls of the eye sockets. The various openings in the bone allow the passage of nerves and blood vessels. For instance, the holes in the large wings (foramen ovale, lower left and right) transmit the mandibular nerve (which extends to the jaw) and accessory meningeal arteries. (KEYSTONE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/DAVE ROBERTS)