What is Parathyroid glands?
[[File:Gray1280 blue.jpg | thumb|right | 200px | ''Parathyroid glands location'']] '''Parathyroid glands''' are small [[endocrine gland]]s in the neck of humans and all [[tetrapods]], embedded in the posterior surface of the [[Thyroid|thyroid glands]].<ref>Gray, Henry 1980. Williams, Peter L & Warwick, Roger (eds) Gray's Anatomy (36th ed). Churchill Livingstone p1453. {{ISBN|0-443-01505-8}}</ref> == Function == These glands produce [[parathyroid hormone]]s (PTH). This has an important role in controlling the amount of [[calcium]] in blood and bones. Calcium is an important element in our body: it is the only element with its own control system (the parathyroid glands). == Structure == There are two pairs of parathyroid glands, just behind the [[thyroid|thyroid glands]]. Each gland is about 6&nbsp;mm long and 3–4&nbsp;mm wide. Parathyroid glands get their blood supply from the inferior thyroid arteries.<ref>Fehrenbach and Herring 2012. ''Illustrated Anatomy of the head and neck''. Elsevier, p. 159.</ref> == References == {{reflist}} [[Category:Glands]] [[Category:Endocrine system]]