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The Parathyroid Glands

Anatomy of the parathyroid glands

The parathyroid glands are 4 small, oval-shaped glands. They are located next to the 2 thyroid gland lobes in the neck. Each gland is often about the size of a pea.

Outline of front of neck showing thyroid, parathyroids ghosted in, and surrounding blood vessels and nerves.

Function of the parathyroid glands

Parathyroid glands produce parathyroid hormone (PTH). This hormone plays a key role in regulating calcium levels in the blood. Precise calcium levels are important because small changes can cause muscle and nerve problems.

PTH stimulates these functions:

Release of calcium by bones into the bloodstream, which affects bone density and strength
Calcium absorption from food by the intestines
Calcium conservation by the kidneys
Kidney cell stimulation, which changes the weaker forms of vitamin D into the form that is strongest at absorbing calcium from the intestines