Definition

1. Noun:
   • A neuroendocrine organ: The "posterior pituitary" is the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland. It is primarily a storage and release site for hormones produced by the hypothalamus, rather than being a glandular tissue that synthesizes its own hormones.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The posterior pituitary releases oxytocin and vasopressin into the bloodstream.
  • Damage to the posterior pituitary can lead to diabetes insipidus.
  • The hormone ADH is stored in and secreted from the posterior pituitary.

Advanced Usage

• "Posterior pituitary function": Refers to the role of this organ in hormone regulation.

  • The study focused on posterior pituitary function in water balance.

• "Posterior pituitary extract": A historical term for a preparation derived from this tissue.

  • Early experiments used posterior pituitary extract to study its effects.

Variants and Related Words

• Neurohypophysis (n): An alternative anatomical name for the posterior pituitary.

  • The neurohypophysis is the neural part of the pituitary gland.

• Posterior pituitary gland: A fuller term specifying it as part of the endocrine gland system.

  • The posterior pituitary gland is connected to the hypothalamus via the pituitary stalk.

Synonyms

• Pars nervosa: A specific histological term for the tissue of the posterior lobe.
• Hypophysis, posterior lobe: Descriptive synonyms.

Related Phrases

• Posterior pituitary hormone: Refers to the hormones (oxytocin, vasopressin) associated with this lobe.

  • Posterior pituitary hormones are crucial for childbirth and kidney function.

• Posterior pituitary disorder: A medical condition affecting this part of the gland.

  • The patient was diagnosed with a posterior pituitary disorder.

Noun

1. the posterior lobe of the pituitary body; primarily glandular in nature