sella
/ˈsɛlə
/(in full sella turcica /ˈtəːkɪkə/)
noun (plural sellae /ˈsɛliː/ or sellae turcicae /ˈtəːkɪkiː/) Anatomy
A depression in the sphenoid bone, containing the pituitary gland.The basisphenoid bears a deep, central depression at this point called the sella turcica or pituitary fossa....
- The superior part of the dorsum sellae may be a separate bone or it may be joined to the petrous portion of the temporal bone.
- Behind the dorsum sellae is a shallow depression, the clivus, which slopes obliquely backward, and is continuous with the groove on the basioccipital (basilar portion of the occipital bone).
Origin
Late 17th century: from Latin, 'saddle', (in full) 'Turkish saddle'.