'Pituitary gland' definitions:

Definition of 'pituitary gland'

(from WordNet)
noun
The master gland of the endocrine system; located at the base of the brain [syn: pituitary, pituitary gland, pituitary body, hypophysis]

Definition of 'Pituitary gland'

From: GCIDE
  • 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]

Words containing 'Pituitary gland'