Parathyroid glands

Looks like

Usually four rice-grain-sized glands behind the thyroid.

What it does

Control blood calcium by releasing parathyroid hormone.

Keeping it well

Overactivity causes kidney stones, bone loss and tiredness, found by a blood calcium test; they can be injured in thyroid surgery, causing tingling and cramps.

Its parts

• Inferior parathyroid gland
• Superior parathyroid gland

Related conditions

• 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (DiGeorge)
• Adrenal insufficiency (Addison's)
• Congenital hypothyroidism
• Down syndrome (trisomy 21)
• Hyperparathyroidism
• Hyperthyroidism & Graves' disease
• Hypoparathyroidism
• Hypothyroidism
• Menopause & perimenopause
• Polycystic ovary syndrome
• Postnatal depression
• Thyroid cancer
• Thyroid nodules & goitre
• Thyroiditis (Hashimoto's & subacute)
• Turner syndrome
• Type 1 diabetes