Surgical anatomy and physiology for the skull base surgeon

Endoscopic management of skull base pathology requires a interdisciplinary surgical approach. A comprehensive knowledge of the extracranial and intracranial anatomy is critical to achieve successful outcomes and decrease complications. Surgeons must familiarize themselves with anatomy of the ethmoid region, lateral nasal wall, sphenoid sinus, cavernous region, sellar/suprasellar region, clivus, and pterygopalatine/infratemporal fossa before embarking on these approaches.