Endoscopic view of pituitary gland and internal carotid arteries. The body and lesser wings of the sphenoid have been removed to expose the pituitary gland as it rests in the sella turcica, and the internal carotid arteries as they course along the lateral surface of the sphenoid body within the cavernous sinus. Superior to the gland is the optic chiasm and optic nerves coursing into the optic canals with their ophthalmic arteries. The superior hypophyseal arteries arise from the supraclinoid segment of the internal carotid artery (ICA) while the inferior hypophyseal arteries arise from the cavernous portion of the ICA. The anterior cerebral arteries (right and left) are shown in the interhemispheric fissure, connected to each other by the short anterior communicating artery. (Image courtesy of AL Rhoton, Jr.)