pi·tu·i·tary
pə-ˈtü-ə-ˌter-ē 
-ˈtyü-
1
: of or relating to the pituitary gland
2
: caused or characterized by secretory disturbances of the pituitary gland
pituitary dwarfism
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
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
That medication up-regulates the body's pituitary fuels and stimulates the testes.
—Karen Pallarito, Health, 12 May 2023
Testosterone and estrogen levels are assessed, and so are your levels of luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones—the pituitary hormones responsible for testosterone and sperm production, respectively—as well as your cholesterol and lipids.
—Andrew Zaleski, Men's Health, 20 Feb. 2023
Lesick was diagnosed with pituitary dwarfism which affects fewer than 8,000 people in the United States.
—Emily Strohm, PEOPLE.com, 26 Jan. 2022
Transsphenoidal surgery is done to remove pituitary tumors.
—Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 2 Nov. 2021
If cortisol levels are determined to be pathologically high, then imaging of the pituitary or adrenal glands might be conducted.
—Cathy Cassata, Health, 12 Apr. 2023
In one post, Shauna Rae explained the importance of raising awareness for pituitary dwarfism.
—Stephanie Wenger, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2023
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
And the CT scan revealed a growth about the size of a lima bean on his pituitary.
—New York Times, 29 Dec. 2021
If there is such fine control between the pituitary and thyroid, manually trying to simulate that feedback mechanism by taking one pill a day (levothyroxine) seems impossible.
—Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 31 Aug. 2021
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Adjective
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
That medication up-regulates the body's pituitary fuels and stimulates the testes.
—Karen Pallarito, Health, 12 May 2023
Testosterone and estrogen levels are assessed, and so are your levels of luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones—the pituitary hormones responsible for testosterone and sperm production, respectively—as well as your cholesterol and lipids.
—Andrew Zaleski, Men's Health, 20 Feb. 2023
Lesick was diagnosed with pituitary dwarfism which affects fewer than 8,000 people in the United States.
—Emily Strohm, PEOPLE.com, 26 Jan. 2022
Transsphenoidal surgery is done to remove pituitary tumors.
—Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 2 Nov. 2021
If cortisol levels are determined to be pathologically high, then imaging of the pituitary or adrenal glands might be conducted.
—Cathy Cassata, Health, 12 Apr. 2023
In one post, Shauna Rae explained the importance of raising awareness for pituitary dwarfism.
—Stephanie Wenger, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2023
Noun
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
And the CT scan revealed a growth about the size of a lima bean on his pituitary.
—New York Times, 29 Dec. 2021
If there is such fine control between the pituitary and thyroid, manually trying to simulate that feedback mechanism by taking one pill a day (levothyroxine) seems impossible.
—Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 31 Aug. 2021
See More
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
Phrases Containing pituitary
Dictionary Entries Near pituitary
Cite this Entry
“Pituitary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pituitary. Accessed 7 Jun. 2023.
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Kids Definition
pituitary
1 of 2 adjective
pi·tu·i·tary
pə-ˈt(y)ü-ə-ˌter-ē
: of, relating to, or being the pituitary gland
Medical Definition
pituitary
1 of 2 adjective
pi·tu·i·tary
pə-ˈt(y)ü-ə-ˌter-ē
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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