pituitary

• POS: Adjective, Noun
• HYPHEN: pi=tu=i=tar=y

CIDE DICTIONARY

pituitary, a. [L. pituita phlegm, pituite: cf. F. pituitarie.].

 Secreting mucus or phlegm; as, the pituitary membrane, or the mucous membrane which lines the nasal cavities.  [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.

OXFORD DICTIONARY

pituitary, n. & adj.
--n. (pl. -ies) (also pituitary gland or body) a small ductless gland at the base of the brain secreting various hormones essential for growth and other bodily functions.
--adj. of or relating to this gland.

Etymology

L pituitarius secreting phlegm f. pituita phlegm