Parathyroid glands are an important part of thyroid health. There are four of these glands located behind the thyroid, two on each side.
Parathyroid glands are an important part of thyroid health. There are four of these glands located behind the thyroid, two on each side. They are covered by the same fascial capsule that the thyroid is covered with. The superior parathyroid glands are located at the level of the bottom cricoid cartilage while the inferior glands are located near the bottom of the thyroid lobe.
The function of these glands is to produce the parathyroid hormone which stimulates the breaking down of bones and increases calcium levels. It also helps you better absorb calcium from food.
Parathyroid hormone
The function of these glands is to produce the parathyroid hormone which stimulates the breaking down of bones and increases calcium levels. It also helps you better absorb calcium from food.
The parathyroid arteries usually stem from the inferior parathyroid glands but can also stem from the superior ones. The parathyroid veins drain into the thyroid veins.
Because of the connection between the parathyroid and thyroid glands, disorders in the thyroid will also effect the parathyroid glands which is why it’s important to understand the function of both in conjunction with one another. Because of the direct relation between the parathyroid glands and the calcium in the body, osteoporosis can also occur when the parathyroid gland is overactive.
Like what you read?
Subscribe to our mailing list and get interesting stuff and updates to your email inbox.
Thank you for subscribing on Thyroid Central.
Something went wrong.
