Endoscopic view of anterior exposure of the pituitary gland and surrounding structures. The planum sphenoidale is a smooth part of the lesser wing of the sphenoid just anterior to the tuberculum sellae and chiasmatic groove. The optic nerves can be seen coursing toward the optic canals. The pituitary gland has been exposed following removal of the body of the sphenoid that also reveals the cavernous segment of the internal carotid arteries along its lateral surface. The clivus has also been resected to show the pons and the overlying basilar artery, which forms by union of the vertebral arteries at the pontomedullary junction. (Image courtesy of AL Rhoton, Jr.)