The sella turcica at the base of the skull shown here contains a flattened pituitary at the base, giving the impression of an "empty sella". The diagram indicates how this occurs from herniation of arachnoid (from an arachnoid cyst) into the sella, compressing the pituitary. This may slowly lead to hypopituitarism, if more than 80 or 90% of the adenohypophysis is destroyed. Sometimes, hyperprolactinemia may ensue from a "stalk section" effect.

---