The parathyroid gland is one of the glands with a prominent role because it secretes a hormone that regulates the levels of certain minerals in the body. In this article, we will learn about the important details about this gland.

What is the parathyroid gland?

The parathyroid gland is a group of small glands, which are responsible for regulating the levels of calcium and phosphorus in the body by secreting parathyroid hormone. If there is any imbalance in the levels of calcium in the blood, this gland either secretes the hormone or stops it.

Parathyroid gland shape and location

The following are the most important characteristics of the parathyroid glands:

• The parathyroid glands are a group of 4 small glands, each about the size of a pea, that are flat and oval in shape.
• It is located in the neck just behind the thyroid gland, so that each pair of them is located on one of the lobes of the thyroid gland.
• These glands get their blood supply through the thyroid artery, and blood comes out through the thyroid veins as well, and these glands contain a large group of nerves.
• Each parathyroid gland is approximately 3-5 millimeters in diameter and weighs about 25-40 mg according to one source, and another source indicates a weight of between 30-60 mg.

Functions of the parathyroid glands

The parathyroid gland plays a vital role in regulating and balancing the levels of calcium and phosphorus in the blood and in the bones by secreting parathyroid hormone. With any slight changes in these levels, muscle and nerve problems result.

The parathyroid gland monitors and controls calcium levels. If calcium levels are less than normal, the gland works to secrete the hormone to boost the level of calcium in the blood. If its levels are high, the gland reduces hormone secretion until it returns to normal.

What is the function of the hormone secreted by the parathyroid gland?

Parathyroid hormone stimulates the release of calcium – stored in the bones – into the bloodstream, which carries it to all parts of the body. The hormone also stimulates the following functions:

• Absorption of calcium from food through the intestine.
• Retention of calcium by the kidneys.

The most common diseases of the parathyroid glands

Hyperparathyroidism

Hyperactivity of the parathyroid gland is one of the most famous and dangerous diseases that affect it, and it occurs when the gland cannot control calcium levels, due to excessive secretion of the hormone.

Many organs are adversely affected by high levels of calcium in the bloodstream, which may result in failure of the affected organ. This condition may cause:

• Arrhythmia.
• kidney stones
• Osteoporosis.

Hypoparathyroidism

It is less common, and it occurs when the gland does not secrete enough amounts of the hormone to control the levels of calcium in the blood, which affects many tissues of the body, and this disease may occur as a result of injury to the glands during neck surgeries or after radiation treatment for cancer, autoimmune diseases, or other reasons . According to the sources, patients need calcium supplementation.

Parathyroid cancer

Parathyroid cancer is rare, but it is possible, and according to what was mentioned in the sources, the cure rates are high, reaching 85%.