The Parathyroid Glands
Anatomy of the parathyroid glands:
The parathyroid glands are two pairs of small, oval-shaped glands located adjacent to the two thyroid gland lobes in the neck.
Function of the parathyroid glands:
Parathyroid glands produce parathyroid hormone, which plays a role in the regulation of calcium levels in the blood. Precise calcium levels are important in the human body, since small deviations can cause muscle and nerve impairment.
The parathyroid hormone stimulates the following functions:
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release of calcium by bones into the bloodstream
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absorption of calcium from food by the intestines
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conservation of calcium by the kidneys
Publication Source:
Clinical Anatomy. Snell, Richard S., MD, PhD. 7th edition, 2004, pp. 748-50.
Online Source:
National Cancer Institute
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/parathyroid/patient
Online Editor:
Sara M. Foster, RN, MPH
Online Medical Reviewer:
Gaskin, Kelly RN, MSN, CPNP
Online Medical Reviewer:
Kimberly A. Stump-Sutliff, RN, MSN, AOCNS
Online Medical Reviewer:
Sara M. Foster, RN, MPH
Date Last Reviewed:
10/8/2009
Date Last Modified:
9/24/2009