What is "anterior pituitary"

n. (context anatomy English) adenohypophysis

n. the anterior lobe of the pituitary body; primarily glandular in nature [syn: anterior pituitary gland, adenohypophysis]

A major organ of the endocrine system, the anterior pituitary (also called the adenohypophysis or pars anterior), is the glandular, anterior lobe that together with the posterior lobe ( posterior pituitary, or the neurohypophysis) makes up the pituitary gland (hypophysis). The anterior pituitary regulates several physiological processes including stress, growth, reproduction and lactation. Proper functioning of the anterior pituitary and of the organs it regulates can often be ascertained via blood tests that measure hormone levels.