RESUMO
Objective To provide the detailed anatomic data of clinoid space for skull base surgery. Methods The anatomical structures and the adjacent structures of anterior clinoid process and clinoid space of 10 adult cadaver head specimens were observed under operating microscope. Thin slices of 0.05 mm were gotten on axial, coronal and sagittal planes from 3 of these 10 adult cadaver head specimens by freezing drilling technique. Sequential tracking was performed to observe the anatomical structure of clinoid space. Results Clinoid space is an useful space after drilling the anterior clinoid process. On the base, there is strut, clinoid portion of ICA and the anterior roof of the cavernous sinus.Cranial nerves of Ⅲ, Ⅳ, Ⅴ and Ⅵ were found beside the anterior clinoid process. This sclices of 0.05 mm by freezing drilling technique could fully demonstrate the anatomical structures clinoid space.Conclusion Micro-sectional anatomical methods can demonstrate the anatomical characteristics of the clinoid space, which provides detailed anatomical data for skull base operation.