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.
Wiktionary
n. The controlling gland of the endocrine system; located at the base of the brain.
WordNet
n. the master gland of the endocrine system; located at the base of the brain [syn: pituitary, pituitary gland, hypophysis]
Usage examples of "pituitary body".
The thyroid is one of the so-called ductless glands, like the adrenals above the kidneys, the pineal gland and the pituitary body.
A synaptic dazzle spread across the underside of the instrument brain, tickling what might have been the pituitary body, the pons varolii, and corpora albicantia.