Sella turcica | Notion

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The sella turcica (Latin: "Turkish saddle") is a saddle-shaped depression in the sphenoid bone that houses the pituitary gland (hypophysis). It is an important anatomical and radiological landmark at the skull base.

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Anatomy

Location:

In the body of the sphenoid bone, midline skull base, superior to the sphenoid sinus.
Bounded posteriorly by the dorsum sellae and anteriorly by the tuberculum sellae.

Relations:

Superior	Diaphragma sellae (dural fold) and suprasellar cistern (optic chiasm, hypothalamus).
Inferior	Sphenoid sinus
Lateral	Cavernous sinuses (containing ICA, CN III, IV, V1, V2, VI)
Posterior	Clivus and brainstem

Contents:

Pituitary gland, pituitary stalk, and cavernous sinus structures nearby.

Radiology

X-ray (Lateral skull view)

Outdated, but historically used.
Sella size assessed (normally ~12 × 8 mm).
Enlargement suggested pituitary tumor.

Shows bony anatomy of sella (erosion, remodeling, expansion).
Helpful for bone involvement in pituitary adenomas, craniopharyngioma, or trauma.

MRI (Modality of choice)