Abstract

It has been emphasised that the supraoptico-hypophyseal system forms an anatomical and functional unit and that injury to any part of it is reflected by the presence of degenerative changes in the other parts. When, however, the tracts are interrupted in the hypothalamus, not only the infundibular process, but also the median eminence and infundibular stem are deprived of their nerve fibers. This is important because the last 1 structures are histc logically similar to the infundibular process and in all probability all 3 parts are concerned in the elaboration of the antidiuretic principle. We believe that the failure of many investigators to produce experimental diabetes insipidus by stalk section or attempted extirpation of the neurohypophysis has been in large part due to their failure to make the line of incision high enough, in both instances the median eminence being left intact.

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