Search Result for "pituitary_body":
Wordnet 3.0

NOUN (1)

1. the master gland of the endocrine system; located at the base of the brain;
[syn: pituitary, pituitary gland, pituitary body, hypophysis]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

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]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

pituitary body n 1: the master gland of the endocrine system; located at the base of the brain [syn: pituitary, pituitary gland, pituitary body, hypophysis]