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Dorsum Sellae

dorsum sellae

The dorsum sellae is the posterior wall of the sella turcica on the body of the sphenoid bone, rising vertically behind the hypophyseal fossa. Its upper angles bear the posterior clinoid processes. The clivus (basisphenoid and basiocciput) continues inferiorly from the dorsum sellae. The basilar artery rests on the clivus just posterior to the dorsum sellae.

Region: Head & Skull

Clinical Relevance

Clinical Notes

The dorsum sellae is eroded or destroyed by large pituitary macroadenomas expanding posteriorly, a finding visible on lateral skull radiograph and confirmed by CT. Transsphenoidal pituitary surgery approaches the sella from below through the sphenoid sinus, with the posterior sella wall (dorsum sellae) as the posterior limit of safe dissection. Basilar tip aneurysms and upper basilar perforator aneurysms project just posterior to the dorsum sellae in a surgically challenging location.

Pathology

Common Injuries & Conditions

Dorsum Sellae Destruction by Pituitary Macroadenoma

Pituitary macroadenoma expanding posteriorly erodes the dorsum sellae visible as thinning or absence on lateral skull radiograph, indicating that the tumour has invaded the posterior sella wall and potentially the cavernous sinus, altering the transsphenoidal surgical approach to avoid posterior capsule perforation.