Dictionary
Definition
-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
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
Examples of pituitary in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Related article New blood test that screens for Alzheimer’s may be a step closer to reality, study suggests
All five adults had growth hormone deficiency as children and received pituitary growth hormones prepared in a specific way from cadavers.
—Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 29 Jan. 2024
Counterintuitively, taking testosterone may also help suppress sperm production, because increasing circulating testosterone levels above a certain level suppresses the same two pituitary hormones.
—Discover Magazine, 17 Oct. 2022
Anterior pituitary powder stimulates the pituitary gland, which helps increase muscle mass and human growth hormone production and reduce the signs of aging (29).
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 6 Oct. 2023
Stephanie was diagnosed with a pituitary cyst after the couple married in 2017, according to the hospital.
—Brian Brant, Peoplemag, 29 Aug. 2023
For example, horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction – similar to Cushing’s disease in people – suffer from tendon and ligament degeneration.
—Jane Manfredi, Fortune Well, 25 July 2023
In 1930, at the age of 31, doctors removed a pituitary tumor, hoping to halt his growth.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 July 2023
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
Noun
The pituitary sits in a small pocket of bone just under a central brain region called the hypothalamus.
—Nicholas Wade, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2024
If thyroid hormone levels are too high, the pituitary makes little to no TSH.
—Fran Kritz, Verywell Health, 16 Nov. 2023
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
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 10 Jun. 2024.
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
More from Merriam-Webster on pituitary
Britannica English: Translation of pituitary for Arabic Speakers
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share