Skull & Cranial Anatomy
Sphenoid bone
The sphenoid bone is a butterfly-shaped bone at the base of the skull behind the eyes.
In short: Sphenoid bone
- Basal encephaloceles, including transsphenoidal types, involve the sphenoid.
- It contains the sella turcica, which holds the pituitary gland.
- It is central to the skull base.
- It is often approached endoscopically through the nose.
What it is
It is a central skull-base bone, shaped somewhat like a butterfly, located behind the eyes. It contains the sella turcica, the bony seat of the pituitary gland.
Understanding Sphenoid bone
Its central skull-base position makes it relevant to several basal encephaloceles — including transsphenoidal types — and to the pituitary region. Because it sits deep at the skull base, sphenoid encephaloceles are often hidden and approached endoscopically through the nose, frequently with ENT and neurosurgery collaborating.
Why it matters
Understanding the sphenoid bone helps families see why some encephaloceles involve the pituitary region and present without an external bulge, and why endoscopic repair through the nose is possible.
Common questions
Where is the sphenoid bone?
At the skull base, behind the eyes.
What does it contain?
The sella turcica and pituitary region.
Which encephaloceles involve it?
Basal types, including transsphenoidal.
Bottom line
The sphenoid bone is a central skull-base bone involved in basal encephaloceles and the pituitary region.
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