The Effect of Adenotomy on the Hypophysis System

To the Editor:  —The fact that after adenotomy, an operation which impinges on the periphery of the hypophysis system, the hypophysis system shows a strikingly increased activity in the direction of growth and development, is explained by the fact that the pharyngeal pituitary and probably the entire glandular portion of the pituitary system is stimulated through the excision of "adenoids." The anatomic explanation of relationship between the pharyngeal hypophysis, adenotomy and more rapid growth is the fact that the pharyngeal pituitary is located close to, if not actually in, the "adenoid" tissue. Further justification for this relationship is the well recognized axiom that following adenotomy, children immediately take on a greatly increased rate of growth.The cases of retarded growth relieved by adenotomy suggest that the condition of "adenoids" inhibits the nutritional or developmental function of the pituitary system which we have come to understand as necessary for normal development.