Figure 1: Simplified schematic drawing of the sphenoid bone, dorsal and slightly cranial view. Relevant structures are identified by numbers. The figure shows the proximity of the foramina of the trigeminal nerve to the sella turcica. The branches of the trigeminal nerve pass through the superior orbital fissure ((1), nervus ophthalmicus), foramen rotundum ((7) nervus maxillaris), foramen ovale ((9) nervus mandibularis) and foramen spinosum ((8) ramus meningeus of the mandibular nerve). Tuberculum sellae (13) and dorsum sellae (10) constitute the vertical borders of sella turcica and are landmarks on lateral skull radiograms.