Definition:

transsphenoidal surgerylisten (TRANS-sfee-NOY-dul SER-juh-ree)

A type of surgery in which instruments are inserted into part of the brain by going through the nose and the sphenoid bone (a butterfly-shaped bone at the base of the skull). Transsphenoidal surgery is used to remove tumors of the pituitary gland.

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Transsphenoidal surgery; drawing shows an endoscope and a curette inserted through the nose and sphenoid sinus to remove cancer from the pituitary gland. The sphenoid bone is also shown.