Sella Turcica Of The Sphenoid Bone, Posterior View

Description

Sella turcica anatomy dominates this posterior view of the sphenoid bone, with the dorsum sellae forming a near-vertical posterior wall of the hypophyseal (pituitary) fossa. Paired posterior clinoid processes project superiorly from the dorsum sellae, framing the posterior margin of the pituitary seat and providing attachment points for the tentorium cerebelli. Inferiorly, the dorsum sellae continues toward the clivus, while the hypophyseal fossa lies anterior to it and the parasellar regions sit laterally, where the cavernous sinus and internal carotid artery course adjacent to the sella. Bone landmarks are crisp. For transsphenoidal and extended endonasal pituitary surgery, the posterior sellar wall is a limiting boundary when expanding exposure beyond the adenohypophysis, and the posterior clinoids can obstruct access to lesions with suprasellar or retroclival extension. This posterior perspective also supports radiologic teaching: dorsum sellae erosion, thinning, or remodeling on CT can accompany invasive pituitary macroadenoma, chordoma encroachment on the clivus, or meningioma involving clinoid attachments, and the fixed view makes it easier to separate true sellar change from overlapping cranial base contours. The relationship between the posterior clinoids and the tentorial edge is the key takeaway. Neuroanatomy and skull base anatomy courses often need a single image that isolates the sella turcica, dorsum sellae, and posterior clinoid processes for labeling, assessment items, and surgical approach diagrams. Medical publishers can pair this illustration with sagittal sellar sections or MR images to orient readers to the posterior boundary of the pituitary fossa and adjacent clival corridor. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.