epithelial body located at the base of the brain in the sella turcica, attached by a stalk to the hypothalamus from which it receives important neural and vascular outflow; it consists of the anterior lobe, or adenohypophysis, which secretes most of the hormones, the posterior lobe or neurohypophysis, which stores and releases neurohormones that it receives from the hypothalamus, and an intermediate lobe.