The pituitary gland is a gland that is located in the brain and is responsible for the production of hormones necessary for the regulation of many processes in the body. Hypophysectomy (hypophysectomy) is the surgical removal of this gland. An ectomy is a surgical method of removing an organ or tissue from the body. Thus, a hypophysectomy is the removal of the pituitary gland.
Hypophysectomies are performed in the case of hormone-dependent pituitary tumors, as well as in some forms of endocrine ophthalmopathy.