Prechiasmatic sulcus and optic strut: an anatomic study in dry skulls

Area of Science:

• Anatomy
• Neurosurgery
• Anthropology

Background:

• Surgical access to the cavernous sinus requires understanding anatomical variants of the prechiasmatic sulcus and optic strut.
• Limited studies exist on the morphology and bony relationships in this critical region.
• This research focuses on a Greek population to address this knowledge gap.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically analyze the morphology and morphometry of the prechiasmatic sulcus and optic strut.
• To investigate the anatomical relationships within this region in a Greek population.
• To identify population-specific and gender-specific anatomical variations.

Main Methods:

• A morphometric analysis of 96 Greek adult dry skulls was performed.
• Measurements included interoptic distance, planum sphenoidale length, sulcal length, and sulcal angle.
• Prechiasmatic sulci and optic struts were morphologically classified and their associations examined.

Main Results:

• Significant differences in sulcal angle were observed between male and female skulls (p < 0.05).
• Type I (narrow, steep) prechiasmatic sulci were most common (35.8%), followed by Type IV (wide, flat) (32.1%).
• The optic strut was postsulcal in 41.7% of specimens, sulcal in 31%, and asymmetric in 19%.

Conclusions:

• The study enhances understanding of the prechiasmatic sulcus and optic strut morphology for cavernous sinus surgery.
• Significant anatomical variations exist within the Greek population and between genders.
• Surgeons must consider these population-specific differences for safe navigation in the sellar region.