Pituitary
Pituitary , adjective
[Latin pituita phlegm, pituite: compare French pituitarie.]
(a)
(Anatomy) Secreting mucus or phlegm; as, the pituitary membrane, or the mucous membrane which lines the nasal cavities.
(b)
(Anatomy) Of or pertaining to the pituitary body; as, the pituitary fossa.
Collocations (2)
Pituitary body or Pituitary gland (Anatomy) , 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 (Anatomy) , the ephippium.