pituitary

1 of 2

adjective

pi·​tu·​i·​tary pə-ˈtü-ə-ˌter-ē How to pronounce pituitary (audio)
-ˈtyü-
1
: of or relating to the pituitary gland
2
: caused or characterized by secretory disturbances of the pituitary gland
pituitary dwarfism

pituitary

2 of 2

noun

plural pituitaries

Examples of pituitary in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Related article New blood test that screens for Alzheimer’s may be a step closer to reality, study suggests All five adults had growth hormone deficiency as children and received pituitary growth hormones prepared in a specific way from cadavers. Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 29 Jan. 2024 Counterintuitively, taking testosterone may also help suppress sperm production, because increasing circulating testosterone levels above a certain level suppresses the same two pituitary hormones. Discover Magazine, 17 Oct. 2022 Anterior pituitary powder stimulates the pituitary gland, which helps increase muscle mass and human growth hormone production and reduce the signs of aging (29). Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 6 Oct. 2023 Stephanie was diagnosed with a pituitary cyst after the couple married in 2017, according to the hospital. Brian Brant, Peoplemag, 29 Aug. 2023 For example, horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction – similar to Cushing’s disease in people – suffer from tendon and ligament degeneration. Jane Manfredi, Fortune Well, 25 July 2023 In 1930, at the age of 31, doctors removed a pituitary tumor, hoping to halt his growth. Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 July 2023 Magnesium deficiencies have been found to influence the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis (HPA), which is known to be involved in the development of anxiety disorders. Sarah Anzlovar, Ms, Verywell Health, 15 May 2023 Among the large body of research demonstrating the benefits of animal companionship is the important role of a pituitary hormone called oxytocin. Naomi Weinshenker, Discover Magazine, 5 Apr. 2022
Noun
The pituitary sits in a small pocket of bone just under a central brain region called the hypothalamus. Nicholas Wade, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2024 If thyroid hormone levels are too high, the pituitary makes little to no TSH. Fran Kritz, Verywell Health, 16 Nov. 2023 The elevated 17-hydroxyprogesterone, ACTH [a hormone made by the pituitary that stimulates the production of steroids by the adrenal gland] and 11-deoxycortisol levels are indicative of a defect in the steroidogenic pathway that leads to cortisol deficiency and androgen excess. Isaac S. Kohane, STAT, 23 May 2023 That mechanism is the opposite of typical testosterone products, which shut down the pituitary and shut off the fuels to the testes. Karen Pallarito, Health, 12 May 2023 If your level is low enough to warrant more aggressive treatment, your doctor can prescribe a drug that causes your pituitary to tell your gonads to make more testosterone. Kevin Dupzyk, Men's Health, 24 Feb. 2023 Located at the base of the brain, the pituitary is a pea-sized gland sometimes referred to as the master gland, due to its control over other endocrine glands. Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 2 Nov. 2021 Thyroid stimulating hormone, TSH, is made by the pituitary and is abnormally high when the brain senses too low a hormone level and is abnormally low when the brain senses too high a thyroid level. Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 10 June 2022 The treatments were successful, but when Lesick was 5, doctors discovered that her pituitary (which is responsible for producing hormones in the body that control metabolism and growth) had been rendered dormant. Emily Strohm, PEOPLE.com, 28 Jan. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pituitary.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin pituita phlegm; from the former belief that the pituitary gland secreted phlegm — more at pip

First Known Use

Adjective

1778, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1845, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pituitary was in 1778

Dictionary Entries Near pituitary

Cite this Entry

“Pituitary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pituitary. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

pituitary

1 of 2 adjective
pi·​tu·​i·​tary pə-ˈt(y)ü-ə-ˌter-ē How to pronounce pituitary (audio)
: of, relating to, or being the pituitary gland

pituitary

2 of 2 noun
plural pituitaries

Medical Definition

pituitary

1 of 2 adjective
pi·​tu·​i·​tary pə-ˈt(y)ü-ə-ˌter-ē How to pronounce pituitary (audio)
1
: of or relating to the pituitary gland
2
: caused or characterized by secretory disturbances of the pituitary gland
a pituitary dwarf

pituitary

2 of 2 noun
plural pituitaries
1
2
: the cleaned, dried, and powdered posterior lobe of the pituitary gland of cattle that is used in the treatment of uterine atony and hemorrhage, shock, and intestinal paresis

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