Abstract:

Objective　 To study the features of the microanatomy of the lateral wall of sphenoid sinus and the medial wall of the cavernous sinus from the perspective of the transnasal approach and provide morphological basis for relevant operations. Methods　With the transnasal endoscopic approach, microdissections were performed on 10 cases of antiseptic cadaveric heads, and then the relationship among nerves, internal carotid artery and the lateral wall of sphenoid sinus were observed in the visual field of microscope； Finally, the length between the anterior nasal spine and orbital opening of canales opticus, internal carotid artery carina was measured, as well as the angle between anterior nasal spine and Abey’s plane.　Results　Internal carotid artery and optic nerve together formed a “＞”shape prominence, the distance between anterior nasal spine and the most salient point of internal carotid artery carina was (62.18±5.12) mm, and the angle between anterior nasal spine and Abey’s plane was (36.8±3.4)°. The length between anterior nasal spine and orbital opening of canales opticus was (69.24±3.95) mm，and their angle was (41.4±3.0) ° The intracavernous portion of internal carotid artery could be divided to parasellar and paraclival sections. Among them, the parasellar part was closely related to the lateral wall of the pituitary, and its distance with the mesal was (9.06±1.34) mm.　Conclusions　Familiarity with the anatomy of the lateral wall of sphenoid sinus would be  significant importance for intraoperative localization and safe treatment of cavernous sinus lesions.

Key words: Transnasal , approach, Sphenoid sinus, Microanatomy