a. Anat. [ad. mod.L. clinoïdes, f. Gr. κλίν-η bed; see -OID; cf. F. clinoide.] Resembling a bed: applied to the four processes or apophyses of the sphenoid bone, from their resemblance to the knobs of a bedstead, or from enclosing a quadrilateral space. (Littré.)
Clinoid plate, the posterior boundary of the pituitary fossa of the sphenoid bone. Clinoid ridge, wall, one of the two transverse vertical walls of cartilage before and behind the pituitary body in the cranium of embryo fowls.
1741. Monro, Anat. (ed. 3), 116. On the internal Surface of this Bone three Apophyses … are commonly described … which are called Clinoid, from their Resemblance to the Supporters of a Bed.
1854. Owen, in Circ. Sc. (c. 1865), II. 77/2. Well defined … by the … posterior clinoid processes.
1881. Mivart, Cat, 69. The clinoid plate.
1882. Syd. Soc. Lex., s.v. Clinoid, Clinoid walls … are situated in front of the anterior termination of the notochord.
b. subst. = Clinoid process.
1854. Owen, in Circ. Sc., II. 86/2. The sella turcica is deep, and well defined by both the anterior and posterior clinoids.
