parathyroid glands

parathyroid glands
two pairs of yellowish-brown endocrine gland that are situated behind, or sometimes embedded within, the thyroid gland. They are stimulated to produce parathyroid hormone by a decrease in the amount of calcium in the blood.

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small bodies apposed to the posterior surface of the thyroid gland, developed from the endoderm of the branchial clefts, occurring in a variable number of pairs, commonly two (glandula parathyroidea inferior and glandula parathyroidea superior [TA]) (see inset on Plate 17). The parenchyma comprises masses and cords of epithelial cells, which have been divided into two main types: chief cells and oxyphil cells, but intermediate forms exist. The chief cells secrete parathyroid hormone, a major regulator of calcium and phosphorus metabolism. Called also parathyroids and parathyroid bodies.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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  • parathyroid glands — parathyroid glands, small endocrine glands in or near the thyroid gland. Their secretion, which enables the body to use calcium and phosphorous, is necessary for life. There are usually four parathyroid glands …   Useful english dictionary

  • parathyroid glands — two pairs of yellowish brown endocrine glands that are situated behind, or sometimes embedded within, the thyroid gland. They are stimulated to produce parathyroid hormone by a decrease in the amount of calcium in the blood …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • parathyroid glands — /pærəˈθaɪrɔɪd glændz/ (say paruh thuyroyd glandz) plural noun several small glands or oval masses of epithelioid cells, lying near or embedded in the thyroid gland, whose internal secretion governs the calcium content of the blood …  

  • parathyroid bodies — parathyroid glands …   Medical dictionary

  • parathyroid hormone — n a hormone of the parathyroid gland that regulates the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus in the body abbr. PTH called also parathormone * * * (parathormone) a hormone, synthesized and released by the parathyroid glands, that controls the… …   Medical dictionary

  • Parathyroid hormone — (PTH), or parathormone, is secreted by the parathyroid glands as a polypeptide containing 84 amino acids. It acts to increase the concentration of calcium (Ca2+) in the blood, whereas calcitonin (a hormone produced by the parafollicular cells (C… …   Wikipedia

  • Parathyroid cancer — is a rare cancer that forms in tissues of one or more of the parathyroid glands (four pea sized glands in the neck that make parathyroid hormone, which helps the body store and use calcium). External links * [http://www.cancer.gov/Templates/db… …   Wikipedia

  • Parathyroid gland — Infobox Anatomy Name = Parathyroid gland Latin = glandula parathyroidea inferior, glandula parathyroidea superior, Phillip.Hungerford. Daniel.Mart GraySubject = 273 GrayPage = 1271 Caption = Endocrine system. (Parathyroid gland not pictured, but… …   Wikipedia

  • parathyroid gland — Anat. any of several small oval glands usually lying near or embedded in the thyroid gland. [1900 05] * * * Endocrine gland, two to eight of which are embedded in each side of the thyroid gland. It secretes parathyroid hormone, which regulates… …   Universalium

  • Parathyroid — Gland that regulates calcium, located behind the thyroid gland in the neck. The parathyroid secretes a hormone called parathormone (or parathyrin) that is critical to calcium and phosphorus metabolism. Although the number of parathyroid glands… …   Medical dictionary

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