The Collaborative International Dictionary
Pituitary \Pi*tu"i*ta*ry\, a. [L. pituita phlegm, pituite: cf. F. pituitarie.] (Anat.)
Secreting mucus or phlegm; as, the pituitary membrane, or the mucous membrane which lines the nasal cavities.
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Of or pertaining to the pituitary body; as, the pituitary fossa.
Pituitary body or Pituitary gland (Anat.), a a small, somewhat cherry-shaped endocrine gland, situated in the pituitary fossa, and suspended from the base of the hypothalamus; the hypophysis; -- called also glandula pituitaria, and basilaris. It secretes th pituitary hormones: oxytocin; vasopresin; antidiuretic hormone; luteinizing hormone; somatotropins; prolactin; thyroid stimulating hormone; gonadotropins; adrenal corticotropin and other peptide hormones. It affects all hormonal functions, and is thus called the ``master gland''.
Pituitary fossa (Anat.), the ephippium.
WordNet
Usage examples of "basilaris".
Opuntia basilaris: conjoint circumnutation of hypocotyl and cotyledon.
With Opuntia basilaris this is not the case, for both cotyledons are thick and large, and the hypocotyl shows at first no signs of enlargement.
How much of the drawing down and burying of the hypocotyl of Opuntia basilaris was due to the contraction of this part and how much to that of the radicle, we did not observe.