HealthSeptember 4, 2026

pituitary

pi-TOO-i-ter-ee

Definition

Relating to the pea-sized gland at the base of the brain that produces hormones regulating vital body functions, mentioned here as part of the body's stress-response system.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'pituita,' meaning 'slime' or 'phlegm,' because early anatomists mistakenly believed the gland secreted nasal mucus.

In the news

The word describes the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, a biological stress-response system that may contribute to chronic inflammation and increased cardiovascular risk after a traumatic event.

Top Psychiatric Predictors of CVD Risk After Trauma Revealed

Read the full article ↗

Medscape

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