Extrasellar Adenohypophyseal Tissue in the Female*

SUMMARYComplete elimination of adenohypophyseal hormones is considered to be of value in some cases of mammary cancer. Destruction of the central control of the production of adenohypophyseal hormones is unlikely to be effective. Destruction of the adenohypophyseal cells themselves must be complete. Adenohypophyseal cells are both intra‐ and extrasellar. A collection of adenohypophyseal cells known as the pharyngeal hypophysis is of appreciable size and proven activity. In the female the pharyngeal hypophysis responds to ageing by marked hypertrophy. If the aim of an hypo‐physectomy is the complete destruction of all active adenohypophyseal cells, both intra‐and extra‐sellar, a direct attack must be made on the pharyngeal hypophysis.