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Book

Physiology, Parathyroid

John J. Lofrese  1 , Hajira Basit  2 , Sarah L. Lappin  3
In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan.
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Book

Physiology, Parathyroid

John J. Lofrese et al.
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Excerpt

The parathyroid is comprised of 4 small glands embedded in the posterior aspect of the thyroid gland. Its main function is the production and secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH), a polypeptide hormone responsible for maintaining serum calcium homeostasis. The levels of PTH and serum calcium are inversely proportional. At low serum calcium levels, PTH, in conjunction with vitamin D, works at many sites in the body to mobilize calcium stores and increase calcium absorption and reabsorption. Both calcium and vitamin D provide negative feedback to the parathyroid glands; as calcium and vitamin D levels increase, they bind receptors at the parathyroid glands and inhibit the production and release of PTH.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure: John Lofrese declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Disclosure: Hajira Basit declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Disclosure: Sarah Lappin declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

References

    1. Schwartz IE, Capra GG, Mullin DP, Johnson TE, Boswell GE. Parathyroid Computed Tomography Angiography: Early Experience with a Novel Imaging Technique in Primary Hyperparathyroidism. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2019 Aug;161(2):251-256. - PubMed
    1. Demir AD. A review of parathyroid mass and patients with nonspecific complaints. J Int Med Res. 2020 Jan;48(1):300060519827169. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Ilahi A, Muco E, Ilahi TB. StatPearls [Internet] StatPearls Publishing; Treasure Island (FL): 2023. Aug 8, Anatomy, Head and Neck, Parathyroid. - PubMed
    1. Hakami Y, Khan A. Hypoparathyroidism. Front Horm Res. 2019;51:109-126. - PubMed
    1. Khan M, Jose A, Sharma S. StatPearls [Internet] StatPearls Publishing; Treasure Island (FL): 2022. Oct 29, Physiology, Parathyroid Hormone. - PubMed

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