Diaphragma sellae
Updates to Article Attributes
Body
was changed:
The diaphragma sellae is one of the folds (or reflections) of the dura mater. It covers the sella turcica and forms the roof over the hypophyseal (pituitary) fossa 1.
Gross anatomy
Thediaphragma sellae consists consists of two horizontal leaves of dura mater on the sphenoid bone. It extends from the tuberculum sellae to the posterior clinoid processes and dorsum sellae and covers the sella turcica and pituitary gland within 1. It is the medial continuation of the superior roof of the cavernous sinus 2. It is deficient centrally where the infundibulum of the pituitary gland passes to join the inferior wall of the third ventricle. It does not contain a subarachnoid space.
Relations
- superiorly - optic chiasm
- inferiorly - hypophyseal fossa, pituitary gland, anterior and posterior intercavernous sinuses within the layers of the diaphragma sellae 3
Variant anatomy
- defects of 5mm or more in up to 40% 4 (resulting in empty sella sign)
Radiographic appearance
CT
- constriction of the diaphragma sellae causing a
"snowman"snowman appearance" of mass lesions extending into or from the pituitary fossa - post contrast enhancement is a normal feature
MRI
- more easily appreciable on MRI sequences with long TR/short TE
- enhancement post contrast is a normal feature
Related pathology
- meningioma
- dural metasteses
- normal intracranial calcifications
Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.