Morphometric Analysis of Sella Turcica in Nigerian Adult Cadaveric Dry and Wet Skulls
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2025-06
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences
Abstract
Background and Aim: The sella turcica is a saddle-shaped area of bone in the middle cerebral fossa. This region's
morphologic heterogeneity may be a sign of pathologic conditions before they show up clinically. The study aimed
at comparing the dimensions of sella turcica in both dry and cadaveric skulls and determining the variability in its
morphology using dry skulls.
Methodology: Twenty-six (15 dry and 11 fresh cadaveric) adults males (16) and females (10) skulls identified as
Nigerian by the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital forensic pathologists, were used. The linear dimensions of
the sella turcica were measured, and the shapes were traced out and compared. Social Statistical Package for Social
Sciences version 20.0 and a glass prism were used to analyze the size of the sella turcica.
Results: The linear measurements showed a statistically significant increase in the depth of the sella turcica of the
wet skulls when compared to the dry skulls, but no statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) in other parameters.
When the measurements were compared in both sexes, linear measurements had no statistically significant
difference. The shapes of sella turcica in dry skulls were concave in 80% and irregular in 20%.
Conclusion: Dry and wet skulls exhibited a notable difference in depth; the measurements of the sella turcica were
comparable between both sexes. Using dry skulls, the shapes of sella turcica were concave in the majority. Its
precise dimensions are helpful in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of pituitary-related disorders.
Description
Keywords
Sella turcica, cadaveric, skull, cranial fossa