pituitary gland

American  

[pi-too-i-ter-ee gland, pi-tyoo-] / pɪˈtu ɪˌtɛr i ˌglænd, pɪˈtju- /

noun

Anatomy.

• pituitary glands
  plural

1. a small, somewhat cherry-shaped double structure attached by a stalk to the base of the brain and constituting the master endocrine gland affecting all hormonal functions in the body, consisting of an anterior region anterior pituitary, oradenohypophysis that develops embryonically from the roof of the mouth and that secretes growth hormone, LH, FSH, ACTH, TSH, and MSH, a posterior region posterior pituitary, orneurohypophysis that develops from the back of the forebrain and that secretes the hormones vasopressin and oxytocin, and an intermediate part pars intermedia, derived from the anterior region but joined to the posterior region, that secretes the hormone MSH in lower vertebrates.

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pituitary gland British  

noun

1. Also called: hypophysis, hypophysis cerebri. the master endocrine gland, attached by a stalk to the base of the brain. Its two lobes (the adenohypophysis and neurohypophysis) secrete hormones affecting skeletal growth, development of the sex glands, and the functioning of the other endocrine glands See also adenohypophysis neurohypophysis

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pituitary gland Scientific  

/ pĭ-to̅o̅′ĭ-tĕr′ē /

1. A gland at the base of the brain in vertebrate animals that is divided into two regions, anterior and posterior, each of which secretes important hormones. The anterior portion, whose secretions are directly controlled by the hypothalamus, produces hormones that regulate the function of most of the body's hormone-producing glands and organs, including the thyroid and adrenal glands. Growth hormone is also produced by the anterior pituitary. The posterior pituitary releases antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and oxytocin.

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pituitary gland Cultural  

1. A small gland, attached to the base of the brain and controlled by the hypothalamus, that functions in the endocrine system. The pituitary gland secretes many hormones: some control the actions of other glands, whereas others influence growth, metabolism, and reproduction.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• pituitary glands
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of pituitary gland

First recorded in 1605–15

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pituitary gland

This family of medications work by boosting dopamine activity and are widely prescribed for a variety of conditions, including RLS, Parkinson's, pituitary gland tumours and some mental health problems.

From BBC ● May 1, 2026

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 ● Dec. 4, 2024

There he became interested in a leading problem of the day — that of how the brain controls the pituitary gland, the maestro organ that cues production of the body’s other major glands.

From New York Times ● Feb. 22, 2024

He finally was diagnosed with a tumor on the pituitary gland in his brain.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 5, 2024

In the brain there is a tiny gland known as the pituitary gland, weighing little more than half a gram, and divided into two portions—the "anterior" and the "posterior" lobes.

From The Problems of Psychical Research Experiments and Theories in the Realm of the Supernormal by Hereward Carrington

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