Diaphragma sellae

Diaphragma sellae is a small, circular sheet of dura mater that forms the roof of the sella turcica, a saddle-shaped depression in the sphenoid bone of the human skull. It is a significant anatomical structure in the central nervous system and plays a crucial role in protecting the pituitary gland, which is located directly beneath it.

Anatomy

The diaphragma sellae is a horizontal extension of the dura mater, the outermost layer of the meninges, the protective coverings of the brain and spinal cord. It is located in the middle cranial fossa, covering the sella turcica. The diaphragma sellae has a small opening in its center to allow for the passage of the pituitary stalk, which connects the pituitary gland to the hypothalamus of the brain.

Function

The primary function of the diaphragma sellae is to protect the pituitary gland. By forming a barrier between the gland and the subarachnoid space, it prevents the cerebrospinal fluid from reaching the pituitary gland. This is important because the pituitary gland is responsible for the production and release of several vital hormones, including growth hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone, and adrenocorticotropic hormone.

Clinical significance

In some cases, a pituitary adenoma, a benign tumor of the pituitary gland, can grow large enough to push against the diaphragma sellae, causing it to bulge upward. This can lead to a condition known as empty sella syndrome, characterized by a range of symptoms including headaches, vision problems, and hormonal imbalances. The diaphragma sellae is also an important landmark in transsphenoidal surgery, a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to remove pituitary tumors.

See also

• Meninges
• Pituitary gland
• Sella turcica
• Empty sella syndrome