parathyroid glands
Neck's calcium sensors
The parathyroid glands are four small endocrine glands embedded in the thyroid, regulating calcium levels in the blood.
When calcium drops too low, they release parathyroid hormone to restore balance—drawing calcium from bones, increasing absorption from food, and reducing loss through the kidneys.
Despite the name, they function independently of the thyroid.
High blood calcium
- hypocalcemiaDeficient serum calcium levels
- homeostasisBiological internal stability maintenance
- electrolyte balanceProper mineral ion ratios
- tetanyMineral-induced muscle cramping
muscle cramps · Chvostek sign · cardiac arrhythmia · vitamin D
Chief in importance
- secondaryLesser in rank
- tertiaryOf third importance
- adenomaBenign epithelial tumor
- DiGeorge syndromeChromosomal microdeletion disorder
Body reclaiming its tissue
- osteoclastsBone-resorbing cells
- osteoblastsBone-synthesizing cells
- bone densityMineral content per volume
- osteoporosisDisease weakening skeletal structure
mineralization · remodeling · phosphorus · bone pain · fractures
Head-body junction
- endocrine glandsDuctless hormone secretors
- superiorHigher in rank
- inferiorOf lower rank
- ectopicIn abnormal position
adenoma · hyperplasia · minimally invasive surgery · ultrasound · biopsy · localization · embryology
Calcium-regulating endocrine secretion
- secretionSubstance released by glands
- feedback loopSelf-modifying cyclical process
- half-lifePeriod for fifty-percent reduction
- kidneyBlood-filtering organ
hypercalcemia
High blood calcium
- hypocalcemiaDeficient serum calcium levels
- homeostasisBiological internal stability maintenance
- electrolyte balanceProper mineral ion ratios
tetany · muscle cramps · Chvostek sign · cardiac arrhythmia · vitamin D
primary
Chief in importance
resorption
Body reclaiming its tissue
- osteoclastsBone-resorbing cells
- osteoblastsBone-synthesizing cells
- bone densityMineral content per volume
osteoporosis · mineralization · remodeling · phosphorus · bone pain · fractures
neck
Head-body junction
- endocrine glandsDuctless hormone secretors
- superiorHigher in rank
- inferiorOf lower rank
ectopic · adenoma · hyperplasia · minimally invasive surgery · ultrasound · biopsy · localization · embryology
parathormone
Calcium-regulating endocrine secretion
- secretionSubstance released by glands
- feedback loopSelf-modifying cyclical process
- half-lifePeriod for fifty-percent reduction
kidney · bone · intestine · gene expression
- endocrine glandsadrenal gland, adrenal glands, adrenals, adrenal, pineal gland
- Neckneck, throat, Adam's apple, larynx, trachea
- thyroidT3, T4, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, goiter
- calcium biologycalcium influx, calcium deficiency, calcium supplements, hypercalcemia, hypocalcemia
- embryonic structuresembryo, fetus, zygote, blastocyst, morula
- neural crestmelanocytes, sensory neurons, dorsal root ganglia, jaw bones, glia
hypothesis, thyroid, thyroxine, parathyroid, thyroids, parathyroids, hyperparathyroidism