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 internal secretions 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

This is where some kind of damage to your pituitary gland whether its is from a tumor, surgery or radiation leads to lower ACTH production. —Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025

Testosterone therapy may lower men’s sperm count The pituitary gland (a part of your brain that controls hormone release) produces two hormones: follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). —Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 24 June 2025

During this phase, your estrogen levels spike, causing your pituitary gland (an organ in the brain that controls hormones) to release the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone. —Sherri Gordon, Health, 11 June 2025

It can be caused by adrenal tumors, long-term steroid use, or conditions affecting the pituitary gland (a gland in your brain that controls hormone production). —Brandi Jones, Health, 6 June 2025

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