Anatomy And Physiology Of The

Thyroid And Parathyroid Glands

Dr M.K. Pratten
November 2019
 ANATOMY AND HISTOLOGY OF THE
THYROID (AND PARATHYROID) GLANDS
Objectives
Students should be able to:
1. Understand how the embryological origins of
both glands explains the possible location of
ectopic glandular tissue.

2. Understand the blood supply and relations of

the thyroid gland

3. Appreciate the histological appearance of the

thyroid and parathyroid glands.

4. Give an account of how the ultrastructure of the

thyroid gland is related to the nature, synthesis
and release of thyroid hormones.
THE THYROID GLAND

 Produces iodine-containing, very low

molecular weight hormones
Tri-iodothyronine (T3)
Thyroxine (T4)

 Problem of storage

 Thyroid hormones have effects on BMR &

growth and development

 Also produces (thyro) calcitonin from

the parafollicular cells.
Anatomy of Found in either side of trachea in lower
the Thyroid anterior triangle of the neck (pre-/para-
tracheal)
Gland
 Embryology of the Thyroid Gland
• Develops from an
endodermal
downgrowth of the
floor of the pharynx
between the anterior
two thirds and
posterior third of the
tongue.
• Grows from
FORAMEN CAECUM
(between 1st and 2nd
pharyngeal arches) to
thyroid cartilage thus
forming the
THYROGLOSSAL
DUCT
• in adult may form
cysts, ectopic thyroid
tissue, pyramidal lobe
Clinical relevance: ectopic thyroid tissue may be
found at sites along thyroglossal duct – if
removing thyroid, need to check for these.
Blood supply of Thyroid Gland

3 VEINS 2 ARTERIES
(or 3)

10% of people have a third artery – the thyroidea ima

Histology of Thyroid

Parafollicular cells (C cells) are

large pale-staining cells with an
eccentric nucleus and clear,
unstained cytoplasm. These are
the cells that produce (thyro)
calcitonin.
The appearance of the epithelium changes with the
functional state

Normal Inactive Hyperactive

cuboidal cells flattened cells columnar cells
variable amounts large amounts with little lumen
of colloid of colloid or colloid stored

Goitre Diffuse enlarged thyroid gland

Ultrastructure
Electron
micrograph of
follicular cells

Note the large

number of
capillaries which
are visible

Co = colloid Ca = capillaries FC = nuclei of follicular cells

 PARATHYROID GLANDS

 Normally 4 parathyroid
glands - situated on the
posterior surface of the
thyroid gland.

 Also migrate down the

neck – there may also
be ectopic gland tissue.

 Secrete parathyroid
hormone - involved in
calcium homeostasis – it
increases Ca++ in blood
(calcitonin decreases it)
 PARATHYROID HISTOLOGY
It is likely that there is only
one type of secretory cell in
the parathyroid, the chief
cell. Other darker staining
cells of unknown function
are called oxyphil cells.
PARATHYROID ADENOMA
Masses of
chief cells –
disrupt
calcium
metabolism

Clinical note:
usually removed
by surgery,
trying to avoid
damage to
thyroid and
recurrent
laryngeal nerves