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Glite Dictionary
pars intermedia

pars intermedia

9.9
A thin tissue layer between the front and back parts of the pituitary, usually joined to the back in adults
  • noun
  • /pɑrz ˌɪntərˈmiːdiə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : pars intermedia
  • In humans, the pars intermedia is often merged with the posterior pituitary.

Examples

  • The pars intermedia produces certain hormones in some animals, but is largely vestigial in adult humans.

  • During embryonic development, the pars intermedia can be more prominent than in adult anatomy.

  • Pathologies affecting the pars intermedia are rare in humans, but can occur in other species.

  • The pars intermedia plays a role in hormone secretion.

  • In humans, the pars intermedia is often merged with the posterior pituitary, illustrating its anatomical variation.

  • Pathologies affecting the pars intermedia are rare in humans, but these conditions can impact hormonal regulation.

  • During embryonic development, the pars intermedia can be more prominent than in adult anatomy, demonstrating its significance in growth.

Surface Forms

pars intermedia singular
pars intermediae plural

Morphology

pars + intermedia

The term is compositionally built from 'pars' (part) and 'intermedia' (intermediate), so its meaning—an intermediate part of the pituitary—is directly inferable from the constituents. Although clinical/technical, the semantic combination is transparent and parallels ordinary 'intermediate part' constructions in other languages, so a learner who knows the parts would understand the MWE.

Etymology

Pars intermedia comes from Latin words pars meaning 'part' and intermedia meaning 'middle', so it literally names the thin layer between the front and back of the pituitary gland. So today pars intermedia refers to that small 'middle part' of the gland, which in adult humans is often joined to the back lobe.