Diaphragma sellae

Diaphragma sellae
Diaphragma sellae
	Tentorium cerebelli seen from above. (Diaphragma sellae labeled at upper left.)
Details
Identifiers
Latin	diaphragma sellae
TA98	A14.1.01.107
TA2	5378
FMA	78540
	Anatomical terminology [edit on Wikidata]

The diaphragma sellae or sellar diaphragm is a small, circular sheet of dura mater forming an (incomplete) roof over the sella turcica and covering the pituitary gland lodged therein. The diaphragma sellae forms a central opening to accommodate the passage of the pituitary stalk (infundibulum)^[1] which interconnects the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus.

The diaphragma sellae is an important neurosurgical landmark.^[1]

Anatomy

Boundaries

The diaphragma sellae has a posterior boundary at the

middle clinoid processes

.

Variation

The opening formed by the diaphragma sellae varies greatly in size between individuals.^[1]

Clinical significance

Pituitary tumours may grow to extend superiorly beyond the diaphragma sellae.^[1] Violation of the diaphragma sellae during an endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal pituitary tumor resection will result in a cerebrospinal fluid leak.^{[citation needed}

]