Parathyroid
The parathyroid glands are tiny, round structures usually found embedded in the posterior surface of the thyroid gland.
{see in surgical texts)
A thick(?) connective tissue capsule separates the glands from the thyroid tissue.
Most people have four parathyroid glands, but occasionally there are more in tissues of the neck or chest.
The function of one type of parathyroid cells, the oxyphil cells, is not clear. The primary functional cells of the parathyroid glands are the chief cells. These epithelial cells produce and secrete the parathyroid hormone (PTH), the major hormone involved in the regulation of blood calcium levels.
The parathyroid glands are smaill (exact mm)-sized glands located at the top and bottom posterior borders of the lateral lobes of the thyroid gland.
Normal parathyroid glands as seen during a thyroidectomy. The large arrow points to the superior parathyroid. The thinner arrow points to the inferior parathyroid. The forceps points toward the recurrent laryngeal nerve. The patient's head is toward the right.
See Parathyroidectmy Video