Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 4 complete abstracts (804 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
A bony prominence situated on the upper surface of the body of the sphenoid bone. It houses the pituitary gland.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Sella Turcicas; Turcica, Sella; Turcicas, Sella.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Sphenoid Bone
- See also
- Empty Sella Syndrome
Related concepts
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 4,796 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Sella Turcica” (counts retrieved 2026-10-31). 394 of them (8.2%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is through 1999 with 2,553 records.
Reviews account for 445 records (9.3%) and meta-analyses for 15. Randomized controlled trials number 25 (0.5%) as a share of all records on the topic. Randomized trials make up only a small share of this literature, so much of what is known comes from laboratory, observational or descriptive work.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 2,553 |
| 2000-2009 | 841 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,008 |
| 2020 onward | 394 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 445 | 9.3% |
| Meta-analyses | 15 | 0.3% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 25 | 0.5% |
Method: PubMed query "Sella Turcica"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-10-31.
Reading the evidence in anatomy and physiology
Anatomy describes how body structures are built and physiology describes how they normally work, so most findings here are descriptive or mechanistic rather than evidence about treatment. Much of what is known comes from dissection, imaging, tissue studies and experiments in animals, and measurements in healthy volunteers can differ from those in people with disease or at different ages. Normal ranges vary between individuals and populations. Check whether a result was measured in people or in another species, the age and health of the participants, and the method used.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The morphology and bridging of the sella turcica in adult orthodontic patients | 2018 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 31 | cc by PMID 29548316 · DOI · PMC5857073 |
| Collision tumors of the sella: coexistence of pituitary adenoma and craniopharyngioma in the sellar region | 2013 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 30 | cc by PMID 23919255 · DOI · PMC3750462 |
| Sella Turcica Morphology on Cephalometric Radiographs and Dental Abnormalities-Is There Any Association?-Systematic Review | 2021 | Systematic review Design not recorded in structured metadata | 18 | cc by PMID 33922272 · DOI · PMC8122834 |
| Giant sellar aneurysm presenting with arginine vasopressin deficiency: a rare case report | 2026 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 0 | cc by PMID 42318214 · DOI · PMC13272000 |
The morphology and bridging of the sella turcica in adult orthodontic patients [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to determine and compare the shapes, sizes, and bridging of the sella turcica in patients with different skeletal patterns and genders.
- Closing excerpt
- The larger size was present in skeletal Class III patients.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (301 words)
BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to determine and compare the shapes, sizes, and bridging of the sella turcica in patients with different skeletal patterns and genders.MethodsIt was a cross-sectional comparative study. The samples were divided into three groups according to the skeletal pattern viz. Class I, Class II and Class III, and each group consisted of 40 samples (20 males and 20 females). The lateral cephalograms were traced and the sella turcica was assessed for its size, shape, and bridging.ResultsThe mean length, anteroposterior diameter and depth of sella turcica were 8.13 ± 2.03 mm, 9.60 ± 1.43 mm and 6.40 ± 1.21 mm respectively. The mean length of sella turcica was 7.91 ± 1.52 mm in Class I, 7.32 ± 1.62 mm in Class II and 9.16 ± .2.42 in Class III skeletal pattern; anteroposterior diameter was 9.30 ± 1.02 mm in Class I, 9.15 ± 1.28 mm in Class II and 10.35 ± 1.64 mm in Class III skeletal pattern; and the depth was 6.40 ± 0.92 mm in Class I, 6.07 ± 1.01 mm in Class II and 6.74 ± .1.54 mm in Class III skeletal pattern. There were significant differences in length and anteroposterior diameter and sella turcica between Class I, Class II and Class III skeletal patterns (p = 0.01), (p = 0.01) respectively. There was no significant difference in size of sella turcica between different genders and age groups. Sixty percent of the patients studied had normal Sella morphology. Partial Sella turcica bridging and Sella turcica bridging was seen in this study in 23.33% and 11.67% of patients respectively.ConclusionSixty percent of the patients had normal sella turcica. There were significant differences in lengths and anteroposterior diameters among Class I, Class II and Class III patients. The larger size was present in skeletal Class III patients.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 29548316 · DOI · PMC5857073
Collision tumors of the sella: coexistence of pituitary adenoma and craniopharyngioma in the sellar region [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Collision tumors of the sellar region are relatively uncommon and consist mainly of more than one type of pituitary adenoma or a cyst or cystic tumor.
- Closing excerpt
- Instead of the transsphenoidal approach, a craniotomy should be performed, to explore the suprasellar region.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (150 words)
Collision tumors of the sellar region are relatively uncommon and consist mainly of more than one type of pituitary adenoma or a cyst or cystic tumor. The association of a pituitary adenoma and a craniopharyngioma is particularly rare. This study describes a rare occurrence in which a pituitary adenoma and a craniopharyngioma coexisted in the sellar region. The case involves a 47-year-old woman who underwent transsphenoidal surgery with subtotal tumor resection and reoperation using an interhemispheric transcallosal approach for total microsurgical resection of the tumor because the visual acuity in her left eye had re-deteriorated. Histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations of the excised tissue revealed a pituitary adenoma in the first operation and a craniopharyngioma in the second operation. Retrospective analysis found the coexistence of a pituitary adenoma and a craniopharyngioma, known as a collision tumor. Instead of the transsphenoidal approach, a craniotomy should be performed, to explore the suprasellar region.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 23919255 · DOI · PMC3750462
Sella Turcica Morphology on Cephalometric Radiographs and Dental Abnormalities-Is There Any Association?-Systematic Review [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BackgroundThe sella turcica is a saddle-like structure in the middle cranial fossa on the intracranial surface of the sphenoid bone, visible on lateral cephalograms routinely conducted for orthodontic diagnosis.
- Closing excerpt
- A clear association exists between dental abnormalities and sella turcica bridging.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (203 words)
BackgroundThe sella turcica is a saddle-like structure in the middle cranial fossa on the intracranial surface of the sphenoid bone, visible on lateral cephalograms routinely conducted for orthodontic diagnosis. The development of facial structures follows similar traits to the sella turcica: glandular anomalies may be associated with functional disorders, e.g., altered hormonal levels, thus influencing dental development. The aim of this study is to find out if there is any association between the morphology of the sella turcica on cephalometric radiographs and the presence of dental abnormalities. (2) Methods: The search was conducted on 27 January 2021 in four search engines: Medline (PubMed Central), Scopus, Web of Science, Embase. The keywords used in the search strategy were as follows: "sella turcica" AND ("dental abnormalities" OR "dental anomalies" OR "malocclusion"). Since all the studies finally included were retrospective case-control studies, the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Form for Case-Control Studies was applied. (3) Results: The search strategy identified 465 articles: 289 from PubMed, 121 from Scopus, 32 from Web of Science and 23 from Embase. Finally, 10 full-text papers were included into qualitative analysis. (4) Conclusions: Sella turcica bridging is very frequent among orthodontic patients. A clear association exists between dental abnormalities and sella turcica bridging.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 33922272 · DOI · PMC8122834
Giant sellar aneurysm presenting with arginine vasopressin deficiency: a rare case report [4]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Giant aneurysms are rare vascular anomalies that can induce symptoms through compression of neural structures.
- Closing excerpt
- This report not only advances the understanding of giant sellar aneurysms but also provides a foundation for future research to mitigate misdiagnosis and enhance patient quality of life.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (150 words)
Giant aneurysms are rare vascular anomalies that can induce symptoms through compression of neural structures. This report describes a case of a giant sellar aneurysm initially manifesting as diabetes insipidus (DI), challenging conventional diagnostic paradigms for sellar mass lesions. Although DI typically arises from antidiuretic hormone (ADH) deficiency, its presentation as the primary symptom of a giant sellar aneurysm is exceedingly uncommon. The distinctiveness of this case lies in the occurrence of DI, likely due to aneurysmal compression of the pituitary gland, underscoring the imperative to include aneurysms in the differential diagnosis of sellar lesions. Giant sellar aneurysms are frequently misdiagnosed as pituitary adenomas, particularly when atypical symptoms are present. Through multidisciplinary collaboration, this case was successfully managed, yielding valuable clinical insights. This report not only advances the understanding of giant sellar aneurysms but also provides a foundation for future research to mitigate misdiagnosis and enhance patient quality of life.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 42318214 · DOI · PMC13272000
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Expanded endonasal approach: the rostrocaudal axis. Part I. Crista galli to the sella turcica [5]
- Research article Evolution of reconstructive techniques following endoscopic expanded endonasal approaches [6]
- Research article Differential diagnosis of sellar masses [7]
- Research article Craniopharyngioma and other cystic epithelial lesions of the sellar region: a review of clinical, imaging, and histopathological relationships [8]
- Research article The sellar region [9]
- Research article Different surgical approaches to the sellar region: focusing on the "two nostrils four hands technique" [10]
References
- Shrestha GK, Pokharel PR, Gyawali R, Bhattarai B, Giri J. The morphology and bridging of the sella turcica in adult orthodontic patients. . 2018. PMID 29548316 · DOI · PMC5857073
- Jin G, Hao S, Xie J, Mi R, Liu F. Collision tumors of the sella: coexistence of pituitary adenoma and craniopharyngioma in the sellar region. . 2013. PMID 23919255 · DOI · PMC3750462
- Jankowski T, Jedliński M, Grocholewicz K, Janiszewska-Olszowska J. Sella Turcica Morphology on Cephalometric Radiographs and Dental Abnormalities-Is There Any Association?-Systematic Review. . 2021. PMID 33922272 · DOI · PMC8122834
- Zhang X, Wang P, Pan B. Giant sellar aneurysm presenting with arginine vasopressin deficiency: a rare case report. . 2026. PMID 42318214 · DOI · PMC13272000
- Kassam A, Snyderman CH, Mintz A, Gardner P, Carrau RL. Expanded endonasal approach: the rostrocaudal axis. Part I. Crista galli to the sella turcica. Neurosurg Focus. 2005. PMID 16078817 · DOI
- Kassam A, Carrau RL, Snyderman CH, Gardner P, Mintz A. Evolution of reconstructive techniques following endoscopic expanded endonasal approaches. Neurosurg Focus. 2005. PMID 16078822 · DOI
- Freda PU, Post KD. Differential diagnosis of sellar masses. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 1999. PMID 10207686 · DOI
- Zada G, Lin N, Ojerholm E, Ramkissoon S, Laws ER. Craniopharyngioma and other cystic epithelial lesions of the sellar region: a review of clinical, imaging, and histopathological relationships. Neurosurg Focus. 2010. PMID 20367361 · DOI
- Rhoton AL. The sellar region. Neurosurgery. 2002. PMID 12234453 · DOI
- Castelnuovo P, Pistochini A, Locatelli D. Different surgical approaches to the sellar region: focusing on the "two nostrils four hands technique". Rhinology. 2006. PMID 16550942
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-10-31; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-10-31.
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Evidence strength
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