Microsurgical anatomy of the pituitary gland and the sellar region. 1. The pituitary gland.

The microsurgical anatomy of the pituitary gland was studied on dissections of 250 cadaver sphenoidal blocks and on detailed operative reports of 266 patients who underwent transsphenoidal hypophysectomy (185 breast cancer patients and 81 patients with diabetic retinopathy). Whereas the various measurements (width, length, height, weight) and the structures of the two lobes of the pituitary gland were studied in cadavers, texture, consistency, color, and attachment to surrounding structures were best observed during surgical procedures. These latter aspects of the pituitary gland were correlated with the age, sex, and hormonal status of the patients. Variations in the shape, size, and appearance of the pituitary gland are frequent. Knowledge of such variations is important for a precise microsurgical approach to the sellar region.