Sella turcica

The sella turcica is a small, bony structure located within the sphenoid bone of the skull. It is responsible for supporting and protecting the pituitary gland, which is a crucial endocrine organ that plays a vital role in maintaining homeostasis in the body.

Structure

The sella turcica is a concave, saddle-shaped structure that is located within the sphenoid bone, which is a butterfly-shaped bone located in the middle of the skull. It is situated just behind the nasal cavity and between the optic chiasma, which is the point at which the optic nerves cross over each other.

It is formed by two bony protuberances known as the tuberculum sellae and the dorsum sellae. The tuberculum sellae is a small, rounded projection that extends upward from the floor of the sella turcica. The dorsum sellae is a narrow, flat surface that extends horizontally across the top of the sella turcica.

The sella turcica is surrounded by a thin layer of spongy bone known as the diaphysis sellae. This layer of bone helps to support and protect the pituitary gland, which is located within the sella turcica.

Location

As mentioned earlier, the sella turcica is located within the sphenoid bone of the skull. It is situated just behind the nasal cavity and between the optic chiasma. The sella turcica is located at a critical point in the body, as it sits at the base of the brain and is responsible for supporting and protecting the pituitary gland.

Function

The main function of the sella turcica is to support and protect the pituitary gland, which is a small endocrine gland located within the sella turcica. The pituitary gland is often referred to as the “master gland” because it produces and regulates a number of hormones that are essential for maintaining homeostasis in the body.

The hormones produced by the pituitary gland play a vital role in a number of important bodily functions, including growth, metabolism, and the regulation of blood pressure. The pituitary gland is also responsible for regulating the production and release of hormones by other endocrine glands, such as the thyroid gland and the adrenal glands.