A transpalatal approach to the hypothalamic area in the ferret is described. In 1932 Hill & Parkes published an account of a technique for parapharyngeal hypophysectomy in the ferret, an animal which is eminently suited for certain experimental studies on the pituitary because of the nature of its reproductive cycle. Because of the thickness of the tissue between the neck and the base of the skull the approach described by Hill & Parkes does not permit any delicate manipulations of the pituitary. The technique outlined in the present paper allows more delicate surgical manoeuvres on the hypothalamic area, from the pituitary posteriorly to the chiasma in front, and also reduces the time to reach the pituitary from about 60 min. to less than 10 min. An additional advantage is that the services of a surgical assistant are not required.