Structures involving the sella turcica are best imaged in which plane?

Imaging structures involving the sella turcica, which is a saddle-shaped depression in the sphenoid bone of the skull that houses the pituitary gland, is optimally performed in the coronal plane. This plane provides a clear view of the sella turcica and its surrounding anatomical structures. By slicing through the body from front to back, the coronal plane allows for an unobstructed view of the sella turcica's relationships with other critical structures in the cranial cavity, such as the optic chiasm and the cavernous sinus.

Using the coronal plane also helps in assessing the height of the sella, potential abnormalities such as tumors or cysts, and the overall contour of the pituitary gland. This comprehensive view is essential for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning in clinical contexts. Other planes, such as sagittal or axial, while useful for different anatomical evaluations, do not present the sella turcica and its surrounding structures as effectively as the coronal plane, limiting the ability to evaluate this critical area as thoroughly. The oblique plane is typically used for more specialized imaging tasks and holds less relevance for visualizing the sella turcica’s anatomical relationships.