pituitary
/pi'tju:itəri/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective:
- Of or relating to the pituitary gland: Describes anything connected to or originating from this specific gland in the brain.
Noun:
- The master gland of the endocrine system; located at the base of the brain: A small, pea-sized organ that produces and releases hormones regulating many bodily functions, including growth, metabolism, and reproduction.
Examples of Usage
Adjective:
- The doctor ordered a scan to check for a pituitary tumor.
- A pituitary disorder can affect hormone levels throughout the body.
Noun:
- The pituitary is often called the body's "master gland".
- The surgeon carefully operated on the patient's pituitary.
Advanced Usage
"Pituitary function": Refers to how well the pituitary gland is working.
- The blood test will assess your pituitary function.
"Pituitary adenoma": A non-cancerous tumor of the pituitary gland.
- Most pituitary adenomas are treatable.
Variants and Related Words
Pituitary gland (n): The full term for the gland itself.
- The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone.
Hypophysis (n): A technical, medical synonym for the pituitary gland.
- The term hypophysis is used in medical textbooks.
Synonyms
- Hypophyseal (adj): A technical adjective meaning of or relating to the pituitary gland.
- Master gland (n): A descriptive synonym highlighting its controlling role.
Related Phrases
"Pituitary stalk": The thin piece of tissue that connects the pituitary gland to the hypothalamus in the brain.
- The hormone travels down the pituitary stalk.
"Anterior/posterior pituitary": Refers to the two distinct lobes of the gland, which produce different hormones.
- The anterior pituitary produces thyroid-stimulating hormone.
Adjective
- of or relating to the pituitary gland
- pituitary hormone
Noun
- the master gland of the endocrine system; located at the base of the brain