vasopressin: hormone secreted by the posterior pituitary gland (trade name Pitressin) and also by nerve endings in the hypothalamus; affects blood pressure by stimulating capillary muscles and reduces urine flow by affecting reabsorption of water by kidney tubules
hormone: the secretion of an endocrine gland that is transmitted by the blood to the tissue on which it has a specific effect
maggot: the larva of the housefly and blowfly commonly found in decaying organic matter