Pituitary gland

Pituitary gland
Pituitary Pi*tu"i*ta*ry, a. [L. pituita phlegm, pituite: cf. F. pituitarie.] (Anat.) (a) Secreting mucus or phlegm; as, the pituitary membrane, or the mucous membrane which lines the nasal cavities. (b) Of or pertaining to the pituitary body; as, the pituitary fossa. [1913 Webster]

{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. [1913 Webster +PJC]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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