Microsurgical anatomy of the pituitary gland and the sellar region. 2. The bony structures.

Measurements of the sella turcica (depth, length, width, volume, thickness of the floor, intraclinoid distance, length of tuberculum sellae) were made in cadaver sphenoid blocks, skulls, and in patients undergoing transsphenoidal surgery. Variations in the sphenoidal septae, sinuses and bulging of surrounding structures (carotid arteries and optic nerves) were studied. Results were compared with observations made during surgery and with data reported in the literature. Anatomic variations of the sella turcica and sphenoid sinus may complicate surgical intervention in the region of the sella turcica. However, these variations were never, in our experience, the cause for interruption of transsphenoidal surgery.