SELLA TURCICA MORPHOMETRY AND ITS FLOOR MORPHOLOGY: AN ANATOMICAL STUDY IN DRY SKULLS

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Background. Sella turcica (ST) is a concavity in the body of the sphenoid bone situated in the middle crania fossa and typically contains the pituitary gland. ST shape or size abnormalities can be associated with pituitary gland pathologies and several syndromes. Aim. The aim of the current study is to identify the ST morphometry (length and depth), the morphology of its floor (possible depression or well-formed fossa) and calculating the frequency of each fossa, as well as any possible correlation between them. Material and Methods. ST length and depth and the presence of an indentation (a depression or a well-formed fossa) on ST floor were evaluated in 122 (60 male and 62 female) Greek adult dry skulls. The indentations were carefully assessed, by using a magnifying loop. Results and Discussion. The mean ST length and depth were 1.0±0.2 and 0.9±0.1 cm. An anterior fossa was observed in 34 skulls (27.9%), a posterior fossa in 58 skulls (47.5%), both anterior and posterior fossae in 19 skulls (15.6%) and no fossa in 11 skulls (9%). Male skulls with anterior or both an anterior and posterior fossae had longer ST than male skulls with posterior fossa or no fossa. Conclusions. ST morphometry and the incidence of each type of ST floor are in accordance with previous studies. This is the first study identifying a correlation between fossa type and ST length in skulls. These findings should be taken into consideration in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures relevant with ST.