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Sella turcica is a saddle-shaped depression located in the middle cranial fossa on the upper surface of the sphenoid bone. It is enclosed by the pituitary fossa in which the pituitary gland is lodged, tuberculum sellae on the front and dorsum sellae in the rear. [1][2][3][4] Two anterior and two posterior clinoid processes form a protrusion on the pituitary fossa, and these are the structures that protect the pituitary gland in the sella turcica. The extensions of the sphenoid bone's ala minor to the anterior and medial form the anterior clinoid processes.The endings of the dorsum sellae form the posterior clinoid processes. [1,4,5] Sella turcica is a bony structure that is closely related with the pituitary gland, and is of both anatomical and clinical importance. The sellar and parasellar regions are anatomically complex structures where neoplastic, infectious, inflammatory, developmental and vascular pathologies may develop. [2,6] Research on sella turcica focuses not only on its dimensions, but also on its morphology. Sella morphology is important in both evaluating treatment outcomes AbstractObjectives: Morphometry of sella turcica should be known to evaluate pathological sella turcica. The aim of this study was to measure the size and describe the morphology of sella turcica in a Turkish population.Methods: This study included 101 individuals aged 17 to 70 years who went under CT scan. Sella length, sella width, sella height anterior, sella height median, sella height posterior, sella area, sella depth and sella anteroposterior (AP) diameter were measured.Results: Sella length was measured as 9.18±1.91 mm, sella width 10.41±1.74 mm, sella height anterior 8.09±1.65 mm, sella height median 7.71±1.24 mm, sella height posterior 7.48±1.34 mm, sella area 69.15±17.45 mm 2 , sella depth 7.87± 1.37 mm and antero-posterior sella diameter as 11.48±1.82 mm. When these sizes were compared between males and females, only sella length and width differed significantly. When compared by decades, there was a statistically significant difference only in the sella area parameter. Conclusion:Sella turcica dimensions of the Turkish population obtained by CT in this study can be used in estimating pituitary gland size and in determining any pathology in the sellar and parasellar regions. In addition, these results may help clinicians who encounter pathologically large sella areas in easily distinguishing it. Therefore, knowing the normal anatomy and variations of sella turcica is important for neurologists and neurosurgeons who deal with the pathologies of this area.

Purpose: The human pineal gland is a small neuroendocrine organ which produces melatonin. The main goal of this study was to provide a reference range for pineal volume in all age groups and to determine calcified and noncalcified tissue and their proportions, which may be a reflection of melatonin production in all age groups, by using very thin computerized tomography (CT) slices.Materials and methods: A total of 167 outpatients had undergone cranial CT. Each of the subject’s total pineal volume (TPV), calcified pineal volume (CPV) and noncalcified pineal volume (NPV) according to age groups were calculated in cubic millimeters. Also, proportion of calcification (POC) was noted.Results: The median values were 88.5 mm3 (12.3 mm3–411mm3) for TPV, 74.3 mm3 (12.3 mm3–298 mm3) for NPV, and 3.9 mm3 (0 mm3–141 mm3) for CPV. POC showed a gradual increase from 0–49 years. In the ≥70 group, when compared with the 60–69 age group, CPV and POC values were significantly lower (P: 0.036, P: 0.034, respectively).Conclusion: This study brings a radiological point of view to the distribution of pineal calcification according to age that has a link with melatonin secretion.

IntroductionWith its increasing incidence, coronary artery disease is one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality especially in the industrialized countries, accounting for more than one-third of total deaths. Cardiovascular diseases are the cause of almost half of the deaths in Turkey. Amongst the European Union countries, Turkey is the fourth in the mortality caused by cardiovascular diseases in men and the first in women. [1,2] Coronary artery diameters are one of the most important factors that affect the technique and outcome of coronary by-pass operations. [3] Coronary arteries arise from the aorta as two branches, the right coronary artery (RCA) and the left main coronary artery (LMCA). After a short distance, the LMCA divides into two, and gives the left anterior descending (LAD) and circumflex artery (Cx) branches. While LAD runs along the anterior interventricular sulcus down towards the apex, Cx artery runs along the atrioventricular groove, giving rise to the left marginal branch. The circumflex then continues around the heart, terminating on its posteroinferior aspect, to supply blood to both the left and right atrium. [4] Lumen diameter of normal human coronary arteries and several factors affecting their lumen diameters have previously been studied in different countries on different populations. [5][6][7][8][9][10] To the best of our knowledge, there is no study with international recognition regarding normal AbstractObjectives: Cardiovascular diseases are the cause of nearly half of deaths in Turkey. Coronary artery diameters affect the procedure and outcome of coronary by-pass operations. The aim of this study was to measure the coronary artery diameters of the individuals with normal coronary artery on angiographic images to assess to provide data for a normal Turkish population and compare the results with studies from other countries.Methods: Seventy-seven male and female individuals between 31-79 years old were used in the study. Diameters of the two coronary arteries and their branches were measured in four segments using the Image J program. Results:The mean diameters of major coronary arteries i.e. LMCA, LAD, Cx and RCA were measured as 4.43±0.76 mm, 3.48±0.53 mm, 3.11±0.67 mm and 3.45±0.50 mm, respectively. Conclusion:This study revealed that the coronary artery lumen diameters of the Turkish population were parallel with the study conducted in the Iraqi population especially. A statistically significant correlation between certain coronary artery diameters were demonstrated also found. The findings of this study will contribute to the diagnosis and the treatment methods for the patients.

Objectives: There is substantial information on the morphometric differences of the pathways passing through the internal capsule according to the dominant extremity; however, the diameters of the internal capsule in the horizontal plane have not been previously evaluated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diameters of parts of the internal capsule (anterior limb, posterior limb and genu) and angle in between these parts in healthy subjects. Methods: MRI images of 80 females and 37 males (age: 18-65) with no obvious intracranial pathology were evaluated. The diameters of the anterior and posterior limb and the genu of the internal capsule and the angle between the anterior and posterior limbs were measured. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in measurements of internal capsule when compared bilaterally in all individuals (p>0.05). The right and left genu angles were significantly wider in females. This angle in the present study was found as 122°, while the classical knowledge reveals it as around 90°. Conclusion: Understanding the normal morphometry of this region may help clinicians in the diagnosis and follow-up of some neurological diseases. Some morphometric characteristics of this region have shown differences from the classical knowledge. Further studies in larger samples should be done for re-evaluating the normal ranges of these morphometric values.