A Study of Applied Anatomy of sellar region

Objective To provide the anatomical data for transsphenoidal surgery for the sellar region tumor. Methods The structures in the sellar regions were observed and the data related to the transsphenoidal surgery were measured in 15 formalin-fixed adult cadaveric heads. Results The distance from ostium of sphenoid sinus to the optic nerve was (10.6±1.8)mm, to carotid artery (12.7±1.8)mm, to the tuberculum sellae (14.8±3.0)mm, and to the center of the dorsum sellae (22.8±3.2)mm. The anteroposterior distance of the pituitary fossa, and the distances from its left to its right and from its top to its bottom were (10.2±1.5)mm, (14.0±2.4)mm and (6.5±1.4)mm respectively. Conclusion The knowledge of the anatomy of the sellar region is helpful to the precise location and safe operation in the transsphenoidal surgery for the tumor in the sellar region.