pituitary gland

noun

: a small oval endocrine organ that is attached to the infundibulum of the brain, consists of an epithelial anterior lobe joined by an intermediate part to a posterior lobe of nervous origin, and produces various hormones directly or indirectly impinging on most basic body functions

called also hypophysis, pituitary body

see brain illustration

Examples of pituitary gland in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Signals travel from the brain to the pituitary gland, which tells the testes how much of the hormone to make. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026

Hormones from the brain’s pituitary gland tell the testes to produce testosterone, and a feedback loop keeps levels in balance, according to Harvard Health. — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 19 Oct. 2026

Harvard Health describes how signals from the brain to the pituitary gland normally control testosterone production in the testes, with a feedback loop regulating hormone levels in the blood. — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Oct. 2026

Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs) such as Clomiphene Citrate, dosed at 25 to 50 mg daily for four to six weeks, trick the pituitary gland into producing more LH and FSH. — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1707, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pituitary gland

• ampersand
• beforehand
• behindhand
• bottomland
• contraband
• countermand
• dixieland
• fairyland
• fatherland
• firebrand
• hinterland
• motherland

Kids Definition

pituitary gland

noun

: a small oval endocrine organ located at the base of the brain that produces various hormones that regulate especially growth and reproduction

called also pituitary body

Medical Definition

pituitary gland

noun

: a small oval reddish gray very vascular endocrine organ that is attached to the infundibulum of the brain and occupies the sella turcica, that is present in all craniate vertebrates, that consists essentially of an epithelial anterior lobe derived from a diverticulum of the oral cavity and joined to a posterior lobe of nervous origin by a pars intermedia, and that has the several parts associated with various hormones which directly or indirectly affect most basic bodily functions and include substances exerting a controlling and regulating influence on other endocrine organs, controlling growth and development, or modifying the contraction of smooth muscle, renal function, and reproduction

called also hypophysis, pituitary body

see adenohypophysis, neurohypophysis