Sella turcica

Looks like

A saddle-shaped hollow on top of the body of the sphenoid bone, in the middle of the skull base, right behind the eyes.

What it does

Cradles the pituitary gland; the optic nerves cross just in front of it.

Keeping it well

A pituitary tumour can widen it and press on the crossing optic nerves: slowly narrowing side vision, headaches or hormone changes need a doctor and a scan.

Related conditions

• Achondroplasia
• Acromegaly
• Brain abscess
• Fractures
• Fragility fracture
• Frailty & falls in older age
• Hyperparathyroidism
• Osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease)
• Osteomalacia & rickets
• Osteomyelitis (bone infection)
• Osteoporosis
• Paget's disease of bone
• Sarcoma
• Traumatic brain injury (moderate to severe)
• Vitamin B1, C and other deficiencies
• Vitamin D deficiency