PARATHYROID GLAND

Origin :- Endodermal.
Position :- In humans, four parathyroid glands are present on the
back side of the thyroid gland, one pair each in the two
lobes of the thyroid gland.

VENTRAL VIEW DORSAL VIEW

 PARATHYROID GLAND
Hormone :- The parathyroid glands secrete a peptide hormone called
parathyroid hormone (PTH)/ Collip's hormone or parathormone.

Nature. of PTH :- It is peptide in nature.

 PARATHYROID GLAND

(1) BLOOD CALCIUM LEVEL – 9 TO 10 mg /100 ml. blood.

(2) Calcium source – Milk and milk products.

(3) Calcium is key element in many physiological functions like

proper permeability of cell membranes, muscular activities,
blood coagulation, bone formation.
 PARATHYROID GLAND
(4)Calcium is most abundant mineral of the body and about
99% of calcium stored in the bones. (1% Ca++ found in ECF).

(5) Parathormone is essential for survival because it helps to

maintain " blood calcium homeostasis" by regulating the
amount of calcium and phosphate ion in ECF.
 PARATHYROID GLAND
Blood calcium "homeostasis" is a combined function of
Parathormone , Thyrocalcitonin and vitamin D3. PTH converts
inactive vitamin D3 in to active vitamin D3 .
(1) Increases the Ca++ levels in the blood by increasing osteoclast cells activity in bones
(demineralisation of bone).

(2) Stimulate reabsorption of calcium by renal tubules but

inhibit the phosphate ions from DCT of nephron.
Vitamin-D
(3) Increases Ca++ absorption from the digested food.
PARATHYROID GLAND

˂9mg/dL
BLOOD CALCIUM HOMEOSTASIS
The secretion of PTH is
regulated by the
circulating levels of
calcium ions.

The parathyroid glands

secrete parathyroid
hormone (PTH) which
increases the blood Ca 2 +
levels and plays a major
role in calcium
homeostasis.
 PARATHYROID GLAND
Functions of PTH /parathormone
Parathyroid hormone (PTH) increases the Ca 2+ levels in the blood.
PTH acts on bones and stimulates the process of bone resorption
(dissolution/ demineralisation).
PTH also stimulates reabsorption of Ca 2+ by the renal tubules and
increases Ca 2+ absorption from the digested food. It is, thus, clear that
PTH is a hypercalcemic hormone, i.e., it increases the blood Ca 2+
levels. Along with TCT, it plays a significant role in calcium balance in
the body.
 PARATHYROID GLAND

1
PTH secretion Blood Ca++ Level

Blood PO43- Level

 IRREGULARITIES OF PARATHYROID GLAND
Hyposecretion of PTH Symptoms
(Hypoparathyroidism)
Hypocalcaemia The amount of Ca++ decreases.
(Muscles and nerves get  Sometimes voluntary muscles remain
unnecessarily irritated and start contracted for a long time , it is known as
convulsion and cramping) Tetany disease.
 If this Tetany happens in intercostal
muscles and diaphragm, then animal dies
due to Asphyxia.
Hyperphosphotemia The amount of PO43- is increased.

Muscles cramping –Involuntary contraction of voluntary muscle.

 IRREGULARITIES OF PARATHYROID GLAND

Hypersecretion of PTH Symptoms

(Hyperparathyroidism)
Osteoporosis Due to hypersecretion of PTH , osteoclast cells
feed excess amount of bone unnecessarily. As a
result of this, bones become brittle and weak.
This condition is called as Osteoporosis.

When quantity of Ca++ is increases in ECF and

3-
level of PO43- is reduced, this condition is
known as hypercalcemia and
hypophosphatemia respectively.