Hypophyseal fossa

Last edit by Alaric Steinmetz on

The hypophyseal fossa is a bony depression within the sphenoid bone, in which the pituitary gland is located.

Anatomy

The hypophyseal fossa marks the deep indentation of the sella turcica between the tuberculum sellae and the dorsum sellae. As a rare variant, a craniopharyngeal canal may be present in the hypophyseal fossa[^1].

Illustration

Hypophysial fossa Grays Anatomy
Schematic illustration of the hypophysial fossa (marked in red) at the sphenoid bone. Figure adapted from Grays Anatomy.

Imaging

Hypophysial fossa
Hypophysial fossa (red arrow) in sagittal CT of the skull.