Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
The pituitary gland rests in which feature of the skull?
A
External occipital protuberance
B
Foramen magnum
C
Cribriform plate
D
Sella turcica
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Begin by identifying the pituitary gland's location in the body. The pituitary gland is a small, pea-shaped gland located at the base of the brain, within the cranial cavity.
Step 2: Understand the anatomical feature that houses the pituitary gland. The gland rests in a depression of the sphenoid bone called the sella turcica, which is part of the skull's cranial base.
Step 3: Review the other options provided in the question to eliminate incorrect answers. The external occipital protuberance is a bony projection at the back of the skull, unrelated to the pituitary gland. The foramen magnum is the large opening in the base of the skull for the spinal cord, and the cribriform plate is part of the ethmoid bone associated with the olfactory nerves.
Step 4: Confirm that the sella turcica is the correct answer by noting its specific function as the protective bony structure that houses the pituitary gland.
Step 5: Conclude that the pituitary gland rests in the sella turcica, a feature of the sphenoid bone in the skull.