pituitary

[ pi-too-i-ter-ee, -tyoo- ]

noun

, plural pi·tu·i·tar·ies.

1. pituitary gland.
2. Pharmacology. the extract obtained from the lobes of the pituitary glands of hogs, sheep, and other domestic animals: the posterior lobe constituent increases blood pressure, contracts stomach muscles, etc., and the anterior lobe constituent regulates growth of the skeleton.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or involving the pituitary gland.
2. noting a physical type of abnormal size with overgrown extremities resulting from excessive pituitary secretion.

pituitary

/ -trɪ; pɪˈtjuːɪtərɪ /

noun

1. See pituitary gland pituitary extract

adjective

1. of or relating to the pituitary gland
2. archaic.
   of or relating to phlegm or mucus

Other Words From

• postpi·tui·tary adjective
• prepi·tui·tary adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pituitary¹

First recorded in 1605–15, pituitary is from the Latin word pītuītārius pertaining to or secreting phlegm. See pip ², -ary

Word History and Origins

Origin of pituitary¹

C17: from Late Latin pītuītārius slimy, from pītuīta phlegm

Example Sentences

Others who, because of a tumor in the pituitary gland, may overproduce HGH develop a different problem: gigantism.

From The Daily Beast

HGH is a hormone normally made in tiny amounts by the pituitary gland in all of us.

From The Daily Beast

At the other end, a tumor of the pituitary can over-produce growth hormone and cause acromegaly.

From The Daily Beast

I want a ball bat to club every country jake doctor that looks me over and asks about my pituitary gland.

From Project Gutenberg

He says, As the pituitary body is an integral part of the brain, so are the suprarenal bodies part of the sympathetic system.

From Project Gutenberg

The origin of the pituitary body from the roof of the mouth was first described by Rathke .

From Project Gutenberg

Between this skeleton and the pituitary body the important portion of the brain formed by the occipital lobes takes its origin.

From Project Gutenberg

The coxal excretory organs at the base of the endognaths remain and become the pituitary body.

From Project Gutenberg