pituitary

[ pi-too-i-ter-ee, -tyoo- ]

/ pɪˈtu ɪˌtɛr i, -ˈtyu- /

noun, plural pi·tu·i·tar·ies.

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.

adjective

of, relating to, or involving the pituitary gland.

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

Words nearby pituitary

pittsburgh pneumonia, pittsfield, pituicyte, pituicytoma, pituitarism, pituitary, pituitary basophil adenoma, pituitary basophilism, pituitary body, pituitary cachexia, pituitary dwarfism

Origin of pituitary

First recorded in 1605–15, pituitary is from the Latin word pītuītārius pertaining to or secreting phlegm. See pip², -ary

OTHER WORDS FROM pituitary

post·pi·tu·i·tar·y, adjectivepre·pi·tu·i·tar·y, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for pituitary

Others who, because of a tumor in the pituitary gland, may overproduce HGH develop a different problem: gigantism.
Is HGH, Allegedly Alex Rodriguez’s Drug of Choice, Really So Bad?|Kent Sepkowitz|August 1, 2013|DAILY BEAST
HGH is a hormone normally made in tiny amounts by the pituitary gland in all of us.
Where Were the Doctors to Testify at Roger Clemens’s Perjury Trial?|Kent Sepkowitz|June 20, 2012|DAILY BEAST
At the other end, a tumor of the pituitary can over-produce growth hormone and cause acromegaly.
Where Were the Doctors to Testify at Roger Clemens’s Perjury Trial?|Kent Sepkowitz|June 20, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The pituitary body still opens into the mouth, though the septum between the mouth and the throat is broken through.
The Works of Francis Maitland Balfour, Volume IV (of 4)|Francis Maitland Balfour

The pituitary opening remains patent throughout life, as is the case with Crossopterygians alone amongst Gnathostomata.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 8|Various
The origin of the pituitary body from the roof of the mouth was first described by Rathke .
Form and Function|E. S. (Edward Stuart) Russell
Between this skeleton and the pituitary body the important portion of the brain formed by the occipital lobes takes its origin.
Degeneracy|Eugene S. Talbot
The pituitary opening is close to the anterior edge of the mouth opening instead of being right up on the dorsal side of the head.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 8|Various

British Dictionary definitions for pituitary

pituitary

/ (pɪˈtjuːɪtərɪ, -trɪ) /

noun plural -taries

See pituitary gland, pituitary extract

adjective

of or relating to the pituitary gland

archaic of or relating to phlegm or mucus

Word Origin for pituitary

C17: from Late Latin pītuītārius slimy, from pītuīta phlegm

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for pituitary

pituitary

[ pĭ-tōō′ĭ-tĕr′ē ]

n.

The pituitary gland.

An extract from the anterior or posterior lobes of the pituitary gland, prepared for therapeutic use.

adj.

Of or relating to the pituitary gland.

Of or secreting phlegm or mucus; mucous.