CEFR C1

pituitary

noun

Meaning

A small, pea-sized endocrine gland located at the base of the brain that secretes hormones regulating various bodily functions.

Examples

  • The pituitary gland releases hormones that signal the thyroid to produce its own secretions.
  • Doctors performed an MRI to check for a small tumor on the patient's pituitary.

Synonyms: master gland, hypophysis