hypophysis

Etymology

From Ancient Greek ὑπό (hupó, “under”) + φύσις (phúsis, “nature”), from φύω (phúō, “to bring forth”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /haɪˈpɒfɪsɪs/

Noun

hypophysis (plural hypophyses)

1. (anatomy) The pituitary gland.
   • 1915 - Wilhelm Falta, (trans. Milton Kayton Meyers) The Ductless Glandular Diseases, P. Blakiston's Son & Co. OCLC 4634141, page 231

     CHAPTER VI / THE DISEASES OF THE HYPOPHYSIS [PITUITARY GLAND]

2. (botany) The top cell of the suspensor in a dicot embryo, which will differentiate to form part of the root cap.
   • 1995, Trevor A. Thorpe, In Vitro Embryogenesis in Plants, Springer, →ISBN, page 85:

     All the cells of the suspensor, except one, are eventually crushed and obliterated by the growing embryo; this fortunate cell known as the hypophysis is the one in immediate contact with the embryo and plays an important role in the formation of the root apex.