pituitary (redirected from pituitary abscess)

pituitary /pi·tu·i·tary/ (pĭ-too´ĭ-tar″e)

1. hypophysial.

2. pituitary gland; see under gland.

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anterior pituitary  adenohypophysis.

posterior pituitary  neurohypophysis.

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pi·tu·i·tar·y (p-t-tr)

n.

1. The pituitary gland.

2. An extract from the anterior or posterior lobes of the pituitary gland, prepared for therapeutic use.

adj.

1. Of or relating to the pituitary gland.

2. Of or secreting phlegm or mucus; mucous.

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Pituitary

A gland located at the base of the brain that produces a number of hormones, including those that regulate growth and reproductive functions. Overproduction of the pituitary hormone called growth hormone (GH) is responsible for the condition known as acromegaly.

Mentioned in: Acromegaly and Gigantism, Cushing's Syndrome, Puberty

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pituitary

[pit(y)o̅o̅′iter′ē]

pertaining to the pituitary gland.

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pituitary

1. a neuroepithelial endocrine gland of dual origin at the base of the brain in the sella turcica, attached by a stalk to the hypothalamus; called also hypophysis. It is composed of two main lobes, the anterior lobe (anterior pituitary, adenohypophysis), secreting several important hormones that regulate the proper functioning of the thyroids, gonads, adrenal cortex, and other endocrine glands, and the posterior lobe (posterior pituitary, neurohypophysis) whose cells serve as a reservoir for hormones having antidiuretic and oxytocic action, releasing them as needed, and in response to signals from the hypothalamus, itself responding to incoming signals from the nervous system received by the thalamus. Called also hypophysis. See also pituitrin, vasopressin, oxytocin, antidiuretic hormone, thyrotropin releasing hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, melanocyte-stimulating hormone, prolactin and growth hormone.

2. pertaining to the pituitary gland.

3. a preparation of the pituitary glands of animals, used therapeutically.

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pituitary abscess

abscess in the rete mirabile of the pituitary is recognizable clinically in cattle. The syndrome begins with a characteristic inability to close the mouth. Saliva drools, the tongue is prolapsed slightly, and there may be blindness, opisthotonos, loss of balance and recumbency.

pituitary-adrenal axis

the interactions between hypothalamus, pituitary and adrenal cortex, involving releasing factors, tropic hormones and negative feedback mechanisms.

pituitary alopecia

see growth hormone-responsive dermatosis.

pituitary cachexia

see pituitary cachexia.

pituitary dwarfism

congenital dwarfism with all parts properly proportioned. Affected animals are miniatures of normals. There is delayed bone development and epiphyseal fusion is retarded. It is inherited in cattle and German shepherd dogs. See also German shepherd dog dwarfism.

pituitary giantism

acromegaly.

pituitary gonadotropins

follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone.

fetal pituitary hormones

in sheep, cows and goats fetal pituitary ACTH stimulates fetal adrenal cortisol production inducing in turn placental estrogen secretion. Hence fetal placental hormone is important in the induction of parturition.

pituitary hypoplasia

congenital absence (aplasia) or incomplete growth (hypoplasia) of gland. Occurs in one form of inherited prolonged gestation in cattle and in poisoning by the weed Salsola tuberculata var. tomentosa. It is an inherited trait in German shepherd dogs.

posterior pituitary

1. the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland; the neurohypophysis.

2. a preparation of animal posterior pituitary having the pharmacological actions of its hormones, oxytocin and vasopressin; used mainly as an antidiuretic in the treatment of diabetes insipidus and as a vasoconstrictor.

pituitary rete mirabile abscess

see pituitary abscess.

pituitary tumor

includes adenoma, carcinoma and craniopharyngioma. All cause pressure on surrounding tissue and some cause endocrinological disturbances.