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Biomedical Basics

Thyroid and parathyroid glands

  • Created by Henry Stewart Talks
Published on December 31, 2025   4 min

A selection of talks on Cardiovascular & Metabolic

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This overview addresses thyroid and parathyroid glands with particular emphasis on the structure and microscopic anatomy of the thyroid gland, including the roles of follicular and parafilicular cells. We will examine how the hypothalamic pituitary thyroid axis regulates thyroid hormone synthesis and release and discuss the systemic effects and clinical consequences of thyroid hormone imbalances. The presentation will also address the anatomy and function of the parathyroid glands, their role in calcium homeostasis, and the clinical features of parathyroid gland dysfunction. Let's begin by exploring the basic anatomy and microscopic structure of the thyroid gland. The thyroid is a butterfly shaped gland in the anterior neck, just in front of the trachea with two lobes connected by an isthmus. Microscopically, it contains spherical follicles lined by follicular cells, which surround a colloid rich cavity. These cells synthesize thyroxen also known as tetraodothyine, and a triiodotheryine, with triodatheryine, being the more active hormone, parafollicular or C, cells secrete calcetonin which has minor effects on calcium homeostasis. The synthesis and release of thyroid hormones is tightly controlled by the hypothalamic pituitary thyroid axis. The hypothalamus produces thyrotropin releasing hormone, TRH, stimulating the anterior pituitary to secrete thyroid stimulating hormone, TSH. TSH then prompts the thyroid to absorb

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Thyroid and parathyroid glands

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