pituitary gland

noun

: a small oval endocrine organ that is attached to the infundibulum of the brain, consists of an epithelial anterior lobe joined by an intermediate part to a posterior lobe of nervous origin, and produces various internal secretions directly or indirectly impinging on most basic body functions

called also hypophysis, pituitary body

see brain illustration

Examples of pituitary gland in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The disease is often caused by a tumor on the pituitary gland, and brain surgery is the first line of treatment. —Kerry Breen, CBS News, 18 Jan. 2025

Hypothyroidism could also be caused by: Congenital hypothyroidism Surgical removal, or partial removal, of the thyroid Radiation treatment of the thyroid Certain medications Disorders of the pituitary gland or hypothalamus Iodine deficiency Other autoimmune diseases:What is vasculitis? —Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2025

This condition affects the pituitary gland—a hormone-producing gland located at the base of the brain. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024

Most of them are B-movie actors who go Goo Mode for one reason or another — falling into radioactive protoplasm, a pituitary gland disorder, a The Substance situation, the list goes on. —Bethy Squires, Vulture, 13 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1707, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

pituitary gland

noun

: a small oval endocrine organ located at the base of the brain that produces various hormones that regulate especially growth and reproduction

called also pituitary body

Medical Definition

pituitary gland

noun

: a small oval reddish gray very vascular endocrine organ that is attached to the infundibulum of the brain and occupies the sella turcica, that is present in all craniate vertebrates, that consists essentially of an epithelial anterior lobe derived from a diverticulum of the oral cavity and joined to a posterior lobe of nervous origin by a pars intermedia, and that has the several parts associated with various hormones which directly or indirectly affect most basic bodily functions and include substances exerting a controlling and regulating influence on other endocrine organs, controlling growth and development, or modifying the contraction of smooth muscle, renal function, and reproduction

called also hypophysis, pituitary body

see adenohypophysis, neurohypophysis