How Do You Spell PARAHYPOPHYSIS?

Pronunciation: [pˌaɹəhˈɪpəfəsˌɪs] (IPA)

The word "parahypophysis" is a medical term referring to a region near the pituitary gland. Its spelling is determined by the International Phonetic Alphabet. The first syllable, "para," is pronounced /pəˈrɑː/ with a short "a" sound and a secondary stress on the second syllable. The second syllable, "hy," is pronounced with a long "i" sound followed by a short "i" sound as in /haɪˈɪ/ with the primary stress on the first syllable. The final syllable, "pophysis," is pronounced /pɑːˈfɪsɪs/ with a long "a" sound and the secondary stress on the second syllable.

PARAHYPOPHYSIS Meaning and Definition

1. The parahypophysis, also known as the parvocellular neurohypophysis, refers to a specialized region found within the pituitary gland that is responsible for the storage and release of certain hormones. It is a small structure located adjacent to the larger posterior pituitary gland in the brain.

   The parahypophysis mainly consists of nerve fibers originating from the hypothalamus, which is the part of the brain that controls the body's endocrine system. These nerve fibers travel down from the hypothalamus to the paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei within the parahypophysis. In these nuclei, neurosecretory cells produce certain hormones such as oxytocin and vasopressin, also known as antidiuretic hormone (ADH).

   These hormones are then transported along the nerve fibers and stored in the posterior pituitary gland. When needed, such as during childbirth or in response to low blood volume, the stored hormones are released directly into the bloodstream. Oxytocin, for example, plays a crucial role in uterine contractions during labor, as well as milk ejection during breastfeeding. Vasopressin/ADH helps regulate water balance and blood pressure by conserving water and constricting blood vessels, respectively.

   In summary, the parahypophysis is a vital region within the pituitary gland that acts as a storage and release site for hormones produced by the hypothalamus. These hormones play crucial roles in various physiological processes, including childbirth, lactation, and water balance.

2. A small mass of pituitary tissue, or tissue resembling in structure the anterior lobe of the hypophysis, occasionally found in the dura mater lining of the sella turcica.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for PARAHYPOPHYSIS

• oarahypophysis
• larahypophysis
• -arahypophysis
• 0arahypophysis
• pzrahypophysis
• psrahypophysis
• pwrahypophysis
• pqrahypophysis
• paeahypophysis
• padahypophysis
• pafahypophysis
• patahypophysis
• pa5ahypophysis
• pa4ahypophysis
• parzhypophysis
• parshypophysis
• parwhypophysis
• parqhypophysis
• paragypophysis
• parabypophysis

Etymology of PARAHYPOPHYSIS

The word "parahypophysis" is derived from two Greek roots: "para" meaning "beside" or "near", and "hypophysis" which refers to the pituitary gland. The word combines these roots to form a term that literally means "beside the pituitary gland". The parahypophysis is a small, paired structure located adjacent to the pituitary gland and is involved in the regulation of hormonal functions.