Advertisement!
Author Information Pack
Editorial Board
Submit article
Special Issue
Editor's selection process
Join as Reviewer/Editor
List of Reviewer
Indexing Information
Most popular articles
Purchase Single Articles
Archive
Free Online Access
Current Issue
Recommend this journal to your library
Advertiser
Accepted Articles
Search Articles
Email Alerts
FAQ
Contact Us
Indian Journal of Anatomy

Volume  6, Issue 2, April - June 2017, Pages 132-135
 

Original Article

Morphological Study of Sphenoid Sinus and its Relation with Surrounding Neurovascular Structures

Sowmya S.*, Vinitha G.*

*Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy, Bangalore Medical College And Research Institute, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.

Choose an option to locate / access this Article:
90 days Access
Check if you have access through your login credentials.        PDF      |
|

Open Access: View PDF

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21088/ija.2320.0022.6217.7

Abstract

Introduction: The pituitary gland is located below the centre of the brain and over the sella on the cerebral surface of the body of sphenoid. The sphenoid air sinus opens into the roof of the nasal cavity via the aperture on the posterior wall of sphenoethmoidal recess above the turbinates. Since only a thin layer of bone separates sphenoid sinus from pituitary gland above and nasal cavity below, transseptal approach to the pituitary lesions is feasible rather than transcranial approach. Material & Methods: Study wa conducted on 30 sagitally sectioned head and neck specimens at the level of nasal septum in formalin fixed human cadavers from the Department of Anatomy, from our institute. The parameters were recorded and photographed. Results: Among 30 specimens 12 were presellar, 5 sellar, 10 postsellar and 2 were conchal types. Normal intersphenoid septum were found in 17 cadavers, whereas accessory septum in 9 cadavers and multiple intersphenoid septum in 3 cadavers. Among 17 normal septal patterns, 5 were inserting towards ICA and 3 were around optic canal. The part of the roof of sphenoid sinus underlying ICA showed dehiscence in 2 specimens. No optic canal dehiscence in sphenoid sinus in this study. Conclusion: The complex anatomy of sphenoid sinus and its risky anatomical relations with internal carotid artery and optic nerve make it a challenge for the surgeon. This anatomical study of sphenoid sinus will help to guide the surgical plan and dissection of sinus during transsphenoidal approach to pituitary gland.


Keywords: Sphenoid Sinus; Trans-Sphenoid Approach; Pituitary Gland; Internal Carotid Artery and Optic Canal.  


Corresponding Author : Sowmya S., DN, #28, type 4, Block 5, Byrasandra Campus, NIMHANS quarters, Bangalore