Hypophysis Of The Brain, Lateral View

Description

Hypophysis (pituitary gland) sits in the hypophyseal fossa of the sphenoid bone, nested within the sella turcica in a right or left lateral profile. From this side perspective, the adenohypophysis forms the anterior bulk, while the neurohypophysis lies posteriorly and remains continuous superiorly with the infundibulum (pituitary stalk) as it ascends toward the hypothalamus. Anterior and superior to the gland, the optic chiasm is positioned to illustrate the tight suprasellar relationship, and the dorsum sellae and posterior clinoid region define the posterior sellar boundary. Scale matters. Pituitary macroadenomas expand superiorly out of the sella and commonly compress the optic chiasm, producing bitemporal hemianopia, a relationship that reads immediately in a lateral hypophyseal view. Sellar floor and sphenoid sinus landmarks guide the transsphenoidal surgical corridor, while the close lateral adjacency of the cavernous sinus region, with the internal carotid artery and cranial nerves III, IV, V1, V2, and VI, explains why cavernous sinus invasion changes both resectability and complication profile. The stalk position also supports teaching on hyperprolactinemia from stalk effect and diabetes insipidus when the neurohypophysis or infundibulum is disrupted. Neurosurgery and endocrinology texts use this illustration to orient readers before discussions of transsphenoidal approaches, pituitary apoplexy, and postoperative hormonal surveillance. It also fits well in neuroanatomy and head and neck modules when correlating the sella turcica with adjacent sphenoid anatomy and suprasellar cistern relationships. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.