Definition

1. Noun:
   • A small endocrine gland: The parathyroid gland is any one of four small endocrine glands located in the neck, near or embedded within the thyroid gland.
   • Function: Its primary function is to secrete parathyroid hormone (PTH), which regulates the body's calcium and phosphate levels.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The surgeon carefully identified the parathyroid gland during the thyroid procedure.
  • Overactivity of the parathyroid gland can lead to a condition called hyperparathyroidism.
  • Calcium levels in the blood are primarily controlled by the parathyroid gland.

Advanced Usage

• Medical Context: The term is almost exclusively used in medical, biological, and anatomical contexts.
  • The patient's hypocalcemia was traced to accidental damage to the parathyroid gland during surgery.

Variants and Related Words

• Parathyroid (adjective): Pertaining to the parathyroid gland.
  • Parathyroid hormone is essential for bone health.
• Parathyroidectomy (noun): The surgical removal of one or more parathyroid glands.
  • The parathyroidectomy was successful in treating the patient's hypercalcemia.

Synonyms

• Parathyroid (when used as a noun in context): In medical shorthand, "parathyroid" can refer to the gland itself.
  • The scan showed an adenoma on the left inferior parathyroid.

Related Terms (Not Phrasal Verbs or Idioms)

• Endocrine gland: A ductless gland that secretes hormones directly into the bloodstream.
• Thyroid gland: The larger endocrine gland in the neck which the parathyroid glands are associated with.
• Parathyroid hormone (PTH): The hormone secreted by the parathyroid glands.

Noun

1. any one of four endocrine glands situated above or within the thyroid gland