Estimation of pituitary gland dimensions from radiographs of the sella turcica

Abstract

Measurements of length, height, width and volume of the pituitary gland have been correlated with radiological measurements of corresponding dimensions of the sella turcica in 23 male and 27 female necropsies. The pituitary gland is significantly larger in women than in men. The pituitary fossa is not significantly different in size in men and women. Gland and fossa dimensions were correlated separately for each sex. Sellar length and floor width correlate well with gland length and width. Sellar height correlates poorly with gland height, especially in women. Sellar volume, derived from the product of length, height and floor width or from the product of lateral area and floor width, correlates well with gland volume.