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Supraoptic recess

The supraoptic recess is a small, triangular extension or outpouching of the anterior part of the third ventricle of the brain, situated immediately above the optic chiasm. This recess is positioned at the junction where the lamina terminalis meets the floor of the third ventricle, just superior to the optic chiasm and anterior to the infundibular recess. It is closely associated with important hypothalamic structures and is typically visualized in cross-sectional imaging of the brain, especially when assessing the third ventricle and its surrounding anatomical landmarks.

Synonyms:

  • Prechiasmatic recess

  • Anterior recess of third ventricle

  • Recessus supraopticus (Latin)

MRI Appearance:

  • T1-weighted images:

    • Appears as a small, CSF-intensity (hypointense) triangular or slit-like space just above the optic chiasm and anterior to the infundibular recess.

    • Borders are smooth and sharply demarcated from surrounding brain parenchyma.

    • No enhancement unless there is adjacent pathology.

  • T2-weighted images:

    • Demonstrates high signal intensity, identical to CSF, making the supraoptic recess easily identifiable.

    • Triangular or slit-shaped extension anteriorly from the third ventricle.

    • Clearly differentiated from surrounding hypothalamic tissue.

  • FLAIR images:

    • Supraoptic recess is suppressed (dark/low signal) similar to other CSF-containing spaces, aiding in distinction from non-CSF pathologies.

CT Appearance:

  • Non-contrast CT:

    • Appears as a small, hypodense (dark) triangular or slit-like space just above the optic chiasm, continuous with the anterior third ventricle.

    • Usually not directly visualized unless the ventricle is enlarged or there is adjacent pathology, but its location can be inferred by the position of the optic chiasm and third ventricle floor.

MRI images

Supraoptic recess mri 3t axial image

MRI images

Supraoptic recess mri 3t sagittal image