Chiasmatic cistern

The chiasmatic cistern, also known as the cisterna chiasmatica, is a cranial subarachnoid cistern, above the optic chiasma and sella turcica (also called the suprasellar cistern). It is located between the uncus of the temporal lobes and beneath the hypothalamus. The chiasmatic cistern connects with the cistern of lamina terminalis above it, Sylvian cistern at its side, and the interpeduncular cistern at the posteroinferiorly. Inside the chiasmatic cistern, you can find the hypophyseal stalk, optic nerve (cranial nerve II), and the optic chiasm. In terms of blood vessels, the chiasmatic cistern contains perforating branches from the carotid artery, superior hypophyseal artery, and infundibular artery.