The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.

Parathyroid Glands

organs of internal secretion in man and vertebrates, excluding fish. A number of mammals, such as mice, rats, moles, shrews, hedgehogs, swine, and seals, have one pair of parathyroid glands, while bats, dogs, rabbits, cats, guinea pigs, camels, sheep, goats, and man have two pairs, located on the surface of the thyroid gland or embedded in its tissue.

The parathyroids consist of glandular epithelial tissue, including chief and oxyphile cells arranged in clusters and bands between the capillaries, covered with a connective-tissue capsule. The chief cells are polygonal in shape; their cytoplasm contains a large number of mitochondria, is weakly basophilic, and stains with difficulty. The cytoplasm of oxyphile cells is readily stained by acid dyes. Both types of cells contain special corpuscles consisting of endoplasmic reticular plates, which are probably the centers of synthesis in the cells.

The parathyroid glands produce parathyroid hormone (parathormone), which helps regulate calcium and phosphorus metabolism. There are reciprocal relations between the calcium and phosphorus concentrations in the blood. Calcium and phosphorus homeostasis is maintained by the influence of parathyroid hormone on bone tissue and on the kidneys. An excess of the hormone causes demineralization of the bone tissue and the excretion of calcium and phosphorus from the body. Excess phosphorus is excreted by the kidneys. Softening of bones and their eventual spontaneous fracture occur in hyperparathyroidism; tooth development is slowed in hypoparathyroidism. The administration of parathyroid hormone relieves the symptoms of parathyroid deficiency. Removal of the glands results in convulsions (tetany), caused by the sharp decrease in the blood’s calcium concentration (from 9–11 to 4.5–5 mg percent). Blood phosphorus increases at the same time. Attacks of tetany may occur in animals with normal parathyroids when their food contains insufficient calcium. The size and functional condition of the parathyroids vary with the blood calcium level.

REFERENCES

Leites, S. M., and N. N. Lapteva. Ocherki po patofiziologii obmena veshchestv i endokrinnoi sistemy. Moscow, 1967.
Eskin, I. A. Osnovy fiziologii endokrinnykh zhelez. Moscow, 1968.
Clegg, P., and A. Clegg. Gormony, kletki, organizm. Moscow, 1971. (Translated from English.)

V. M. SAMSONOVA

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References in periodicals archive

In a recent study, it has been pointed out by Danan and Shonka that vitamin D level is a significant predictor of postoperative hypocalcaemia, even in patients in whom [greater than or equal to] 3 parathyroid glands were identified.

FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO POST-OPERATIVE HYPOCALCAEMIA AFTER TOTAL THYROIDECTOMY-EXPERIENCE IN A TERTIARY CARE GOVT. HOSPITAL IN EASTERN INDIA

The observer noted whether the adenoma was present, and if present, the exact location of the lesion, as located in the right-upper, right-lower, left-upper, and left-lower pole of the parathyroid gland. Moreover, if more than one lesion was detected, the observer also noted that lesion.

Diagnostic Value of Ultrasound and Tc-99m MIBI scintigraphy and SPECT/CT for Pre-operative Localization of Parathyroid Adenoma in Patients with Primary Hyperparathyroidism: A Single-Center Comparative Study/Operasyon Oncesi Paratiroid Adenomlarinin Yerini Saptamada Ultrason ve Tc-99m MIBI sintigrafisi ve SPECT/CT Incelemenin Tanisal Degeri

Moreover, the amount of radiopharmaceutical absorption by the parathyroid tissue is positively correlated with the weight and size of the parathyroid gland and how the parathyroid gland is functional (13, 14).

Ectopic and Eutopic Located Parathyroid Lesions: Do They Behave Differently? How Can We Monitor Them? What Should We Look for?

Meticulous surgical technique, identification and preservation of parathyroid glands and its vascularity is essential in preventing postoperative hypocalcaemia following total thyroidectomy.

Frequency of Hypocalcaemia following Total Thyroidectomy

Thoracoscopic removal of mediastinal hyperfunctioning parathyroid glands: personal experience and review of the literature.

Robot-assisted endoscopic mediastinal parathyroidectomy

This happens when the parathyroid gland is very close to the thyroid and may even be attached to or covered by the thyroid capsule.

Sonar guided focused parathyroidectomy under cervical block

HPT is categorized into 4 types: primary HPT is caused by parathyroid adenomas (85%), hyperplasias (10%), and carcinomas (5%); secondary HPT occurs as a compensatory increase in parathormone levels due to hypocalcemia or vitamin D deficiency; tertiary HPT presents in patients with long-standing secondary HPT resulting in autonomous functioning of parathyroid gland; the fourth type is an ectopic variant seen in patients with other malignancies [5].

Spontaneous and Excellent Healing of Bilateral Brown Tumors in Mandible after Endocrinal Therapy and Subtotal Parathyroidectomy: Case Report with 4-Year Follow-Up

These conditions cause hypocalcemia and trigger the production of PTH and hyperplasia of the parathyroid gland. The increase of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) from renal failure also has a role in the development of secondary hyperparathyroidism [3].

Craniofacial Brown Tumor in Patients with Secondary Hyperparathyroidism to Chronic Renal Failure: Report of Two Cases in Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital

The first identification of the parathyroid glands was made by Sir Richar Owen in 1850 in the Indian rhinoceros [4].

Primary Hyperparathyroidism due to Parathyroid Adenoma Originated from Supernumerary Gland

Hsu, "Autotransplantation of parathyroid glands into subcutaneous forearm tissue for renal hyperparathyroidism," Surgery, vol.

Total Parathyroidectomy with Subcutaneous Parathyroid Forearm Autotransplantation in the Treatment of Secondary Hyperparathyroidism: A Single-Center Experience

(1) They found that 75% of ITPAs were due to ectopic inferior parathyroid glands. In fact, ITPA represents one of the more common locations for ectopic inferior parathyroid glands.

An incidental thyroid nodule

There are various techniques to resect ectopic parathyroid glands, which are mainly depended on the ectopic gland's location.

Surgery for Ectopic Parathyroid Adenoma in Lower Part of Superior Mediastinum through a Transcervical Incision