pituitary

American  

[pi-too-i-ter-ee, -tyoo-] / pɪˈtu ɪˌtɛr i, -ˈtyu- /

noun

PLURAL

pituitaries

1. pituitary gland.

2. Pharmacology.  the extract obtained from the lobes of the pituitary glands of hogs, sheep, and other domestic animals: the posterior lobe constituent increases blood pressure, contracts stomach muscles, etc., and the anterior lobe constituent regulates growth of the skeleton.

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or involving the pituitary gland.

2. noting a physical type of abnormal size with overgrown extremities resulting from excessive pituitary secretion.

pituitary British  

/ -trɪ, pɪˈtjuːɪtərɪ /

noun

1. See pituitary gland pituitary extract

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adjective

1. of or relating to the pituitary gland

2. archaic  of or relating to phlegm or mucus

Other Word Forms

• postpituitary adjective
• prepituitary adjective

Etymology

Origin of pituitary

First recorded in 1605–15, pituitary is from the Latin word pītuītārius pertaining to or secreting phlegm. See pip ², -ary

Example Sentences

The Ropinirole that James takes belongs to a family of drugs known as dopamine agonists, which are prescribed for Parkinson's, RLS, pituitary tumours and other conditions.

From BBC

Sitting just underneath the hypothalamus is the body's hormone factory - the pituitary gland.

From BBC

The reviewers were particularly concerned with the compound’s potential to harm pregnant women and children, as well as its effect on the pituitary gland.

From Los Angeles Times

He said a non-cancerous tumour had been found on his pituitary gland in his brain.

From BBC

Very rarely, the syndrome can be caused by the body producing too much cortisol, caused by a tumour in the pituitary gland in the brain or in one of the adrenal glands above the kidneys.

From BBC