ABSTRACT
Background: Sella turcica is an important structure of middle cranial fossa and is bounded by dura of cavernous sinuses bilaterally, the lamina dura and dorsum sellae posteriorly and the tuberculum sellae and planum sphenoidale anteriorly. Precise anatomical knowledge of sella turcica is of utmost importance for radiologists to interpret well for the sellar region pathologies. Aim: The present study was undertaken to study the normal shapes of sella turcica and to determine difference between the shapes of sella turcica and the age groups. Material and methods: One thousand six hundred and fifty computed tomographic images (male and female) of healthy Indians of North Karnataka region aged 21-70 years were collected. Radiant dicom viewer software was used to determine shapes of sella turcica in different age groups. Results: In the present study, oval type was the commonest (82%), followed by round shape (10%), and flat shape was the least common shape (8%). There was no statistical significant difference observed between the shapes and the age groups. Conclusion: The results of the present study provide morphology of sella turcica with respect to shapes in this geographic area, which may be useful for further research and for management of sella turcica and pituitary diseases.