Inferior parathyroid gland

Looks like

A rice-grain-sized gland usually on the back of the lower thyroid; its position varies a lot.

What it does

Makes parathyroid hormone, which keeps blood calcium steady via bones, kidneys and gut.

Keeping it well

Overactivity raises calcium (kidney stones, thin bones); it can be hurt in thyroid surgery, causing low calcium and tingling.

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