pituitary

1610s, from Latin pītuītārius (“mucous”), from pītuīta (“clammy moisture, phlegm, mucus, slime”), possibly from Proto-Indo-European *peyH- (“to be fat, swell”). Taken as the name for the gland because it was believed that it channeled mucus to the nose. As a noun by 1899.

• (UK) IPA^(key): /pɪˈtjuːɪt(ə)ɹi/, /pɪˈt͡ʃuːɪt(ə)ɹi/

• Audio (Southern England):

  (file)

• (US) IPA^(key): /pɪˈtuɪˌtɛɹi/

pituitary (not comparable)

1. (anatomy) Of or relating to the pituitary gland.
2. Mucous.

   Synonyms: pituital, pituitous

pituitary (plural pituitaries)

1. (anatomy) The pituitary gland.
2. (anatomy) The pituitary gland together with the pituitary stalk.
3. (medicine) An extract from the pituitary gland.

• hypophysis

• hypopituitarism
• hyperpituitarism
• hypothalamopituitary
• juxtapituitary
• pituitary gland