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Which structures are located inferiorly to the pituitary gland and provide surgical access?

a) Optic chiasm and optic tract
b) Sella turcica and sphenoid bone
c) Mammillary bodies and fornix
d) Thalamus and hypothalamus

1 Answer

4 votes

Final answer:

The sella turcica and sphenoid bone are located inferiorly to the pituitary gland, providing a route for surgical access.

Step-by-step explanation:

The structures located inferiorly to the pituitary gland that provide surgical access are the sella turcica and the sphenoid bone. The pituitary gland is located within the sella turcica of the sphenoid bone in the cranial floor, and it is immediately inferior to the optic chiasm. If there is a pituitary tumor, it can press against the fibers crossing in the optic chiasm, causing visual deficits.

The sella turcica is a depression within the sphenoid bone that holds the pituitary gland. This anatomical feature is directly inferior to the optic chiasm and provides a route for surgical access to the pituitary gland, especially in the case of pituitary tumors that may impact vision by pressing against the optic chiasm.

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