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
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Regulation involves a very complex interplay of feedback loops between the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal glands, says Dr. Singh. 
Emilia Benton, Men's Health, 29 Aug. 2022 According to the Mayo Clinic, a pituitary tumor forms in the pituitary gland at the base of the brain and can cause changes in someone's hormone levels. Daniella Genovese, Fox News, 27 July 2022 Why didn’t the testicles evolve where the pituitary gland is? Mike Sacks, The New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2022 Melanie had been battling the tumor on her pituitary gland since 2003. Daniella Genovese, Fox News, 27 July 2022 Melanie Shaha lost her hair in 2018 after undergoing radiation treatment following the third reoccurrence of a benign tumor on her pituitary gland, according to Today. Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE.com, 22 July 2022 The pituitary gland is just below the middle of the brain, at the level of the eyes. New York Times, 15 June 2022 In 2003, doctors found that Melanie had a benign tumor of the pituitary gland, about the size of a plum. Catherine Garcia, The Week, 28 July 2022 Hormones secreted by the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland and the ovaries regulate the monthly cycle, and they can be affected by both internal and external factors. Knvul Sheikh, BostonGlobe.com, 17 July 2022 See More
Emilia Benton, Men's Health, 29 Aug. 2022 According to the Mayo Clinic, a pituitary tumor forms in the pituitary gland at the base of the brain and can cause changes in someone's hormone levels. Daniella Genovese, Fox News, 27 July 2022 Why didn’t the testicles evolve where the pituitary gland is? Mike Sacks, The New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2022 Melanie had been battling the tumor on her pituitary gland since 2003. Daniella Genovese, Fox News, 27 July 2022 Melanie Shaha lost her hair in 2018 after undergoing radiation treatment following the third reoccurrence of a benign tumor on her pituitary gland, according to Today. Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE.com, 22 July 2022 The pituitary gland is just below the middle of the brain, at the level of the eyes. New York Times, 15 June 2022 In 2003, doctors found that Melanie had a benign tumor of the pituitary gland, about the size of a plum. Catherine Garcia, The Week, 28 July 2022 Hormones secreted by the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland and the ovaries regulate the monthly cycle, and they can be affected by both internal and external factors. Knvul Sheikh, BostonGlobe.com, 17 July 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1707, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
pituitary gland
noun
pi·tu·i·tary gland
pə-ˈtü-ə-ˌter-ē-,
-ˈtyü-
: a gland at the base of the brain that produces several hormones of which one affects growth
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