Definition

1. Noun:
   • The master gland of the endocrine system; located at the base of the brain: The pituitary body is a small, pea-sized organ that produces and releases hormones which regulate many bodily functions and control other endocrine glands.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The pituitary body secretes growth hormone.
  • A tumor on the pituitary body can affect hormone levels.
  • The surgeon carefully operated near the patient's pituitary body.

Advanced Usage

• "Pituitary body function": Refers to the gland's role in hormone production and regulation.
  • The endocrinologist assessed her pituitary body function.
• "Disorder of the pituitary body": Describes a medical condition affecting this gland.
  • Acromegaly is often caused by a disorder of the pituitary body.

Variants and Related Words

• Pituitary gland (n): The most common synonym for "pituitary body".
  • The terms "pituitary gland" and "pituitary body" are often used interchangeably.
• Hypophysis (n): The technical anatomical term for the pituitary body.
  • The hypophysis is suspended from the hypothalamus by a stalk.

Synonyms

• Pituitary gland: The primary synonym.
• Hypophysis: The formal medical term.
• Master gland: A descriptive term highlighting its regulatory role.

Related Phrases

• Pituitary body hormones: The specific chemical messengers produced by the gland.
  • Pituitary body hormones include ACTH and TSH.
• Anterior/posterior pituitary body: Refers to the two distinct lobes of the gland.
  • The anterior pituitary body produces and releases its own hormones.

Noun

1. the master gland of the endocrine system; located at the base of the brain