parathyroid gland
Endocrine gland located close to and behind the thyroid gland. Humans typically have four parathyroid glands. Each gland secretes parathyroid hormone, which regulates blood calcium and phosphate levels. When serum calcium concentrations drop, increased hormone secretion releases calcium from bone into the bloodstream (see calcium deficiency). An increase in parathyroid hormone secretion also increases excretion of phosphate in the urine, thereby lowering serum phosphate concentrations. In addition, the hormone regulates magnesium metabolism by increasing its excretion. When thyroid removal is required, the parathyroid glands must be separated out and left in place to avoid hypoparathyroidism (parathyroid hormone deficiency). See also endocrine system.
parathyroid gland [¦par·ə′thī‚rȯid ‚gland]
Parathyroid gland
An endocrine organ usually associated with the thyroid gland and possessed by all vertebrates except the fishes. In response to lowered serum calcium concentration, a hormone is produced which promotes bone destruction and inhibits the phosphorus-conserving activity of the kidneys. See Thyroid gland
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In humans, there are typically four glands situated as shown in the illustration; however, the number varies between three and six, with four appearing about 80% of the time. Variations in the positioning of the glands along the craniocaudal axis occur but, excepting parathyroid III which may occasionally be found upon the anterior surface of the trachea, the relation to the posterior surface of the thyroid is rarely lost.
The parathyroid glands are essential for the regulation of calcium and phosphate concentrations in the extracellular fluids of amphibians and higher vertebrates. Parathyroid hormone has two major target organs, bone and kidney. It acts on bone in several ways. Short-term changes include a rapid uptake of bone fluid calcium into osteoblast cells, which in turn pump the calcium into the extracellular fluids. Long-term effects include increased activity and number of osteoclasts, bone cells which act to break down bone matrix and release calcium from bone. All of these effects result in increased blood calcium values. See Bone, Calcium metabolism
Parathyroid hormone inhibits the renal reabsorption of phosphate, thus increasing the urinary output of phosphate. Phosphate reabsorption across the renal tubule is dependent upon sodium transport, and parathyroid hormone interferes with this sodium-dependent phosphate transport in the proximal tubule. Another important effect of parathyroid hormone on the kidney is to increase the renal reabsorption of calcium, thus reducing the loss of calcium in the urine and conserving calcium in the body. See Kidney
Finally, there are reports that parathyroid hormone indirectly stimulates calcium uptake into the body across the intestine. Parathyroid hormone stimulates the production of the most active metabolite of vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol, during vitamin D synthesis. This metabolite of vitamin D directly stimulates the intestinal absorption of calcium. See Endocrine system (vertebrate), Parathyroid hormone
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