Objective: To explore the application of extensive pterional approach combined with cutting of the zygomatic arch for the resection of large sphenoid ridge meningioma. Methods: Thirty-three patients with large sphenoid ridge meningioma underwent operation using the extensive pterional approach combined with cutting of the zygomatic arch. Twenty patients with large sphenoid ridge meningioma received operation with the traditional pterional approach as the control. The resection rate, operative time, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative complications were compared between the groups. Results: Two groups of patients underwent craniotomy under microscope. The Simpon grade I resection and grade Ⅱ resection rate was 93.9％ in the cutting of the zygomatic arch approach group and 60.0％ in the control group (P<0.01). The operative time was (325.2±121.3) min in the cutting of the zygomatic arch approach group, which was significantly shorter than that in the control group with (406.4±182.9) min (P<0.05). The intraoperative blood loss was (502.5±101.8) mL and (697.7±115.4) mL in the two groups (P<0.05). In addition, postoperative complication rate was 15.2％ and 45.0％ in the cutting the zygomatic arch approach group and the control group, respectively (P<0.05). No death was reported in both groups. Conclusion: Extensive pterional approach combined with cutting of the zygomatic arch can fully expose the anatomical structures of the skull base and the sellar region to eliminate the influence of temporal muscle in the exposure of the surgical area. The operative field is exposed to reduce the stretch injury to only the frontotemporal brain tissue, which might be helpful for the complete resection of large sphenoid ridge meningioma, and is more conducive to neurovascular anatomy and relevant functional protection.