pituitary

American  

[pi-too-i-ter-ee, -tyoo-] / pɪˈtu ɪˌtɛr i, -ˈtyu- /

noun

plural

pituitaries

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.

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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 British  

/ -trɪ, pɪˈtjuːɪtərɪ /

noun

1. See pituitary gland pituitary extract

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adjective

1. of or relating to the pituitary gland

2. archaic of or relating to phlegm or mucus

Other Word Forms

• postpituitary adjective
• prepituitary adjective

Etymology

Origin of pituitary

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

Example Sentences

The reviewers were particularly concerned with the compound’s potential to harm pregnant women and children, as well as its effect on the pituitary gland.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 4, 2024

“Events” is a generous way to describe the action, which mostly unfolds in and around the narrator Eve’s pituitary gland.

From New York Times • Jan. 27, 2024

From birth, Jorgie was in and out of hospital with a pituitary gland problem that affected her development and made her face puffy.

From BBC • Jan. 10, 2024

He finally was diagnosed with a tumor on the pituitary gland in his brain.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 5, 2024

Under Cushing, John studied pituitary syndromes in dogs and mice and contemplated X-ray irradiations of humans.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik