Sella turcica

The "Turkish saddle" in which sits the pituitary gland. The sella is a bony box in the middle of the head. It was called the sella turcica (the Turkish saddle) because of its resemblance to a saddle used by the Turks (and Arabs) which had supports in front and back. (By comparison, the Romans had no saddle but simply rode on a cover tied to the back of the horse.) The "rider" in the sella turcica, the pituitary gland, (sometimes called the master gland) plays a critical role in regulating growth and development, metabolism, and reproduction. It produces a number of hormones including: {{}}Growth hormone which regulates growth; ACTH (adrenocorticotropin hormone) which stimulates the adrenal glands to produce cortisol; Thyrotropin which signals the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormone; Luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone which In women, regulate ovulation and estrogen and progesterone production; and In men, regulate sperm formation and testosterone production; and Prolactin which stimulates the breast to produce milk.

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sella tur·ci·ca -'tər-ki-kə, -si- n, pl sellae tur·ci·cae -ki-.kī, -si-.sē a depression in the middle line of the upper surface of the sphenoid bone in which the pituitary gland is lodged

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a depression in the body of the sphenoid bone that encloses the pituitary gland.

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[TA] a transverse depression crossing the midline on the superior surface of the body of the sphenoid bone, and containing the hypophysis.

Sella turcica, in a posterior view of the sphenoid bone.