The adrenal gland was first described by Eustachius1 in 1564 and the adrenal medulla, by Bartholin2 in 1666. The adrenal gland of man, as such has been the object of considerable study in the past. These studies, however, have been directed primarily to the chemical nature of the cells of both the cortex and the medulla. Various workers who have dealt with pathologic adrenal tissue have stressed the cell unit rather than the individual components of the cell.
Study of malignant cells indicates that there is an absence of normal differentiation, specific function and intercellular organization. It is to these characteristics that Hansemann3 applied the term "anaplasia" in his early publications. Anaplasia is associated with changes in the morphologic characteristics of the cells; such changes occur to a lesser degree in association with reparative regenerative hyperplasia and in benign cells. Because of morphologic gradations, the approach to