Pituitary adj. (Anat.) (a)Secreting mucus or phlegm; as, the pituitary membrane, or the mucous membrane which lines the nasal cavities.
(b)Of or pertaining to the pituitary body; as, the pituitary fossa.
Pituitary body or Pituitary gland (Anat.), a a small, somewhat cherry-shaped endocrine gland, situated in the pituitary fossa, and suspended from the base of the hypothalamus; the hypophysis; called also glandula pituitaria, and basilaris. It secretes th pituitary hormones: oxytocin; vasopresin; antidiuretic hormone; luteinizing hormone; somatotropins; prolactin; thyroid stimulating hormone; gonadotropins; adrenal corticotropin and other peptide hormones. It affects all hormonal functions, and is thus called the "master gland".
Pituitary fossa (Anat.), the ephippium.
