sellarparasellar

Sellarparasellar refers to a region in the human skull surrounding the sella turcica. The sella turcica is a bony depression within the sphenoid bone that houses the pituitary gland. The parasellar space is therefore the area immediately adjacent to the sella turcica. This region is anatomically complex and contains several important structures.

Key anatomical components of the sellarparasellar region include cranial nerves, major blood vessels, and surrounding bony structures. The cavernous sinuses, which are venous channels, are located laterally to the sella turcica and contain cranial nerves III (oculomotor), IV (trochlear), V1 (ophthalmic division of trigeminal), V2 (maxillary division of trigeminal), and VI (abducens). The internal carotid arteries also pass through the cavernous sinuses. Superiorly, the optic chiasm, where the optic nerves cross, is situated just above the sella. Inferiorly, the sphenoid sinus is located beneath it.

Pathologies affecting the sellarparasellar region can arise from within the pituitary gland itself, such as pituitary adenomas, or from surrounding structures. These include meningiomas, craniopharyngiomas, aneurysms of the internal carotid artery, and metastatic tumors. Due to the proximity of critical nerves and vessels, lesions in this area can present with a variety of symptoms, including visual disturbances (due to optic chiasm compression), cranial nerve palsies (affecting eye movements or sensation), headaches, and hormonal imbalances (due to pituitary dysfunction). Diagnostic imaging, such as MRI and CT scans, are crucial for evaluating the extent and nature of sellarparasellar abnormalities.