Sella turcica

Infobox Bone
Name = Sella turcica
Latin =
GraySubject = 35
GrayPage = 147

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Caption = Sphenoid bone. Upper surface. (There is no label for "Sella turcica", but "Tuberculum sellae" and "Fossa hypophyseos" are visible near center.)

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Caption2 = Medial wall of left orbit. (Sella turcica labeled in upper right.)
System =
MeshName =
MeshNumber =
DorlandsPre = s_07
DorlandsSuf = 12728179
The Sella turcica (literally [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
] ) is a saddle-shaped depression in the sphenoid bone at the base of the human skull.

Anatomy

The seat of the saddle is known as the hypophyseal fossa which holds the pituitary gland. Located anteriorly to the hypophyseal fossa is the tuberculum sellae.

Completing the formation of the saddle posteriorly is the dorsum sellae. The dorsum sellae is terminated laterally by the posterior clinoid processes.

Pathological Significance

Since the sella turcica forms a bony caudal border for the pituitary gland, a pituitary tumor can only extend upward in the rostral direction. This can result in compression of the optic chiasm which lies on top of the pituitary, enveloping the pituitary stalk. Compression of the optic chiasm can lead to bitemporal hemianopsia, and when there is no relevant trauma, this clinical finding is pathognomonic for a pituitary tumor.

ee also

* Sphenoidal sinuses
* Empty sella syndrome

=Additional

References

cite book|author=Marieb, Elaine Nicpon;|title=Human Anatomy & Physiology / Elaine M. Marieb. 6th Edition|publisher=Pearson Education, Inc.|year=2004|id=ISBN 0-8053-5462-X -- Page 209

External links

* [http://www.indiana.edu/~pietsch/sellaturcica400.jpgImage at Indiana.edu]
*