The pituitary gland is located within which structure?

The pituitary gland is located within which structure?

• A. Within the sella turcica
• B. In the pineal region
• C. In the hypothalamus
• D. In the cavernous sinus

Answer: (A)

The pituitary gland sits in a bony saddle in the sphenoid bone called the sella turcica, specifically in the hypophyseal fossa. This space is shaped like a small cavity with the tuberculum sellae in front and the dorsum sellae behind, and it is covered by the diaphragma sellae. The gland hangs just below the optic chiasm and is connected to the hypothalamus by the infundibulum. The pineal region is a different area posterior to the third ventricle, the hypothalamus is above and toward the brain, and the cavernous sinus lies lateral to the pituitary. Enlarging pituitary tissue tends to compress the optic chiasm, which is a classic clinical clue. So the pituitary gland is located within the sella turcica.

The pituitary gland sits in a bony saddle in the sphenoid bone called the sella turcica, specifically in the hypophyseal fossa. This space is shaped like a small cavity with the tuberculum sellae in front and the dorsum sellae behind, and it is covered by the diaphragma sellae. The gland hangs just below the optic chiasm and is connected to the hypothalamus by the infundibulum. The pineal region is a different area posterior to the third ventricle, the hypothalamus is above and toward the brain, and the cavernous sinus lies lateral to the pituitary. Enlarging pituitary tissue tends to compress the optic chiasm, which is a classic clinical clue. So the pituitary gland is located within the sella turcica.