What are parathyroid glands?

There are numerous glands in the human body that make up the endocrine system. The endocrine system regulates the production and levels of hormones in the body. The endocrine glands in the neck include the thyroid gland and parathyroid glands. There are usually 4 parathyroid glands, although some people may be born with more or fewer glands. The parathyroid glands are usually located very close to the backside of the thyroid gland. Sometimes one or more of the glands is embedded inside of the thyroid gland. In some cases, one or more of the parathyroid glands may be located in other parts of the neck or even in the chest.

 Both of these glands in the neck regulate many processes in the body. The thyroid gland makes thyroid hormone, which increases the metabolic rate of the body. The parathyroid glands make parathyroid hormone, which increases the amount of calcium in the body, raising the calcium level in blood. Normally these glands are regulated so that they only produce the proper amount of hormone. For example, as the calcium level in blood increases, the parathyroid glands stop releasing parathyroid hormone. When the calcium level in blood decreases past a certain point, the parathyroid glands make more parathyroid hormone to bring the calcium level back to the normal range.

In some people, the glands can become abnormal and loose the ability to regulate how much hormone they release. Hyperthyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone; hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland produces too little thyroid hormone. There are many diseases that cause these 2 conditions. Hyperparathyroidism is a condition where the parathyroid gland produces too much parathyroid hormone, and can be caused by a benign tumor, cancer, or enlargement of all the parathyroid glands.  Hypoparathyroidism is when too little parathyroid hormone is produced, and is most always caused by surgical removal of the thyroid glands (either as necessary due to diseased glands or unintentionally during removal of the thyroid gland).   

Both the thyroid gland and parathyroid glands are important for the function of the body. When one of these glands becomes abnormal, it is important to seek treatment to correct the condition. Endocrinologists (doctors who specialize in the medical treatment of the glands in the body) and Otolaryngologists (doctors who specialize in the surgical treatment of the glands as well as other areas of the head and neck) may be a part of the evaluation and treatment of a patient with one of these disorders.