The sphenoid bone is sometimes referred to as a "key stone" of the skull. this is due to the fact that the intricate shape of the sphenoid makes it critical to the district characteristics of the individual human face the sphenoid is in the center of the skull and it articulates (joins) with all of the other bones of the skull (excluding the mandible) the sphenoid bone is solid like a stone and provides the strength necessary to support the skull the sphenoid is wedged in the superior most portion of the skull and supports all of the other bones below (excluding the mandible)