pituitary gland 名詞
 腦下垂體,垂體腺,垂體,腦垂體腺


 Pi·tu·i·ta·ry a.  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.

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 pituitary gland
      n : the master gland of the endocrine system; located at the
          base of the brain [syn: pituitary, pituitary body, hypophysis]