Vaccarezza M, Taurone S, Palmieri M, Galassi F M, Cofone L, Artico M, Papa V
Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia.
Curtin Medical Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia.
J Endocrinol Invest. 2025 Sep 4. doi: 10.1007/s40618-025-02698-y.
The sella turcica, a saddle-shaped depression of the sphenoid bone, serves as a critical anatomical structure housing the pituitary gland and holds significant evolutionary, clinical, and anthropological importance. This review traces the evolutionary origins of the sella turcica from early vertebrates through mammalian and primate evolution, emphasizing its role in the stabilization and protection of neuroendocrine functions. Morphological stability of the sella turcica across hominin evolution highlights strong selective pressures on cranial base anatomy, despite broader craniofacial diversification. Anthropologically, the sella turcica provides a durable landmark for craniometric analyses, forensic reconstructions, and paleoanthropological investigations, revealing patterns of sex-based dimorphism, population variation, and disease prevalence. Developmental anomalies such as empty sella syndrome and pituitary hypoplasia illustrate the evolutionary trade-offs between increased encephalization and cranial vulnerability. Integrating historical, paleopathological, and clinical perspectives, this article underscores the sella turcica's significance as a nexus of evolutionary innovation, structural resilience, and biological fragility.
蝶鞍是蝶骨的鞍状凹陷，是容纳垂体的关键解剖结构，在进化、临床和人类学方面具有重要意义。本综述追溯了蝶鞍从早期脊椎动物到哺乳动物和灵长类动物进化的起源，强调了其在神经内分泌功能稳定和保护中的作用。尽管颅面部有更广泛的多样化，但蝶鞍在人类进化过程中的形态稳定性突出了对颅底解剖结构的强大选择压力。在人类学上，蝶鞍为颅骨测量分析、法医重建和古人类学研究提供了一个持久的标志，揭示了基于性别的二态性、人群变异和疾病患病率的模式。空蝶鞍综合征和垂体发育不全等发育异常说明了脑容量增加和颅骨易损性之间的进化权衡。本文整合了历史、古病理学和临床观点，强调了蝶鞍作为进化创新、结构弹性和生物脆弱性纽带的重要性。
