Pituitary Gland in Spanish

How the hypothalamus directs the pituitary

Just above the pituitary is the hypothalamus. MedlinePlus explains that it sends hormonal or electrical signals to the pituitary, and that these determine which hormones the pituitary will release. One hormone, antidiuretic hormone (ADH), is produced in the hypothalamus and stored in the pituitary; it affects the production of urine.

Other pituitary hormones

MedlinePlus names several more pituitary hormones. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) affect the ovaries and egg production in women, and the testes and sperm production in men. Prolactin affects breast tissue in nursing mothers. ACTH, or adrenocorticotrophic hormone, causes the adrenal glands to produce important substances similar to steroids. A language reference cannot interpret a hormone result for a particular person.

What it means

The pituitary gland is a pea-sized organ attached to the part of the brain called the hypothalamus. It lies at the base of the brain above the back of the nose. The hypothalamus sends signals to the pituitary gland, which then makes hormones that control other glands and many of the body's functions, including growth and fertility. MedlinePlus says it is often called the "master gland" because it controls many of the things other glands do. Among the hormones it releases are growth hormone, which affects the size of both muscle and bone, and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), which causes the thyroid to release two hormones of its own. In Spanish it is called glándula pituitaria or hipófisis.

Spanish term: Glándula pituitaria
Gender and article: feminine: la glándula pituitaria
Pronunciation: GLAHN-doo-lah pee-twee-TAH-ryah

Other Spanish terms	Where it is used	Note
hipófisis	General	Headword of the National Cancer Institute's Spanish dictionary, which says the hipófisis is also called glándula pituitaria; the RAE dictionary marks hipófisis as a feminine anatomy term.
glándula hipofisaria	General	Given by the National Cancer Institute's Spanish dictionary as another name for the same organ.
cuerpo pituitario	General	Given by the National Cancer Institute's Spanish dictionary as another name for the same organ.

Glándula pituitaria is the name MedlinePlus en español uses, and it is feminine: la glándula pituitaria. MedlinePlus en español also shortens it to la pituitaria and calls it the "glándula de control maestro". The National Cancer Institute's Spanish dictionary files the same organ under hipófisis and lists cuerpo pituitario, glándula hipofisaria and glándula pituitaria as other names. Hipófisis is also feminine: the RAE dictionary marks it "f. Anat."

The RAE defines hipófisis as an organ of internal secretion located in the hollow at the base of the skull called the silla turca, which produces hormones that influence growth and sexual development. Where the English pages say "pea-sized", the National Cancer Institute's Spanish dictionary says del tamaño de una arveja and MedlinePlus en español says del tamaño de un guisante. The part of the brain it is attached to is el hipotálamo, and MedlinePlus en español lists enfermedades pituitarias as another name for its page on diseases of the gland.

Phrases for an appointment

What a patient or a clinician might say, in English and Spanish:

Who	English	Spanish
Clinician	The pituitary gland is a small gland at the base of the brain that makes hormones.	La glándula pituitaria es una glándula pequeña en la base del cerebro que produce hormonas.
Patient	I have also seen the word "hipófisis". Is it the same as the pituitary gland?	También he visto la palabra «hipófisis». ¿Es lo mismo que la glándula pituitaria?
Clinician	Yes, they are two names for the same gland.	Sí, son dos nombres para la misma glándula.
Clinician	I am going to order blood tests to measure several of your hormones.	Voy a pedirle análisis de sangre para medir varias de sus hormonas.
Patient	The report from my scan mentions the pituitary gland. Could you explain it to me?	El informe de mi estudio de imagen menciona la glándula pituitaria. ¿Me lo puede explicar?
Clinician	Have you had headaches or changes in your vision?	¿Ha tenido dolores de cabeza o cambios en la vista?
Patient	I have had headaches for two months, and my periods have changed.	Llevo dos meses con dolores de cabeza y mis períodos han cambiado.
Patient	Which doctor treats problems of the pituitary gland?	¿Qué médico trata los problemas de la glándula pituitaria?

In 9 languages

Language	Term
English	Pituitary Gland
Spanish (Español)	Glándula pituitaria
Chinese (中文)	腦垂體
Korean (한국어)	뇌하수체
Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt)	Tuyến yên
Filipino (Tagalog)	Glandula pituitarya
Portuguese (Português)	Glândula hipófise
Thai (ภาษาไทย)	ต่อมใต้สมอง
Japanese (日本語)	下垂体

Where you'll see it

chartdischarge summarymedical recordsurgical report

Related terms

Your right to an interpreter in the United States

If English is not your primary language and you have difficulty communicating in English, you may need an interpreter or a translated document when you visit a doctor or dentist, go to the emergency room or pick up a prescription. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights states that two federal laws, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, require programs that receive its funding to provide language access services free of charge.

You can ask when you make the appointment or at the front desk: "I need an interpreter, please." «Necesito un intérprete, por favor.»

More terms: Hormones, diabetes and metabolism

All terms in this area: Hormones, diabetes and metabolism — Hormonas, diabetes y metabolismo

Sources

This page is a language reference. It is not medical advice.