Parathyroid Glands

MAIN THING

Parathyroid glands are small glands in the neck, each about the size of a grain of rice. They control the calcium level in the blood and bones. The body needs calcium for many functions. Too much or too little calcium can cause health problems. The parathyroid glands produce a hormone called Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) that regulates this balance, ensuring it is just right.

TERMS

• Calcium – a mineral in the body. Example: Calcium is found in milk and helps build strong bones.

• Hormone – a chemical messenger in the body. Example: Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar.

• Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) – a hormone made by the parathyroid glands. Example: PTH increases calcium levels in the blood when they are too low.

• Gland – an organ that makes and releases substances for the body to use. Example: The salivary gland produces saliva, which helps in digestion.

AN ANALOGY
Think of a worker who prepares cement on a construction site. The worker must mix the right amount of ingredients to create the perfect cement mixture. Similarly, the parathyroid glands adjust the levels of calcium in the blood, much like the worker ensures the right consistency of cement for building.

A MAIN MISCONCEPTION
Many people confuse the parathyroid with the thyroid. They are different glands with different functions. The thyroid controls metabolism, while the parathyroid controls calcium levels.

THE HISTORY

1. 1850: Sir Richard Owen first identified the parathyroid glands in the Indian rhinoceros.

2. 1880: Ivar Sandström discovered the human parathyroid glands.

3. 1925: The role of the parathyroid glands in calcium metabolism was understood.
   "The parathyroid glands are the guardians of our calcium," said Fuller Albright, a pioneer in understanding parathyroid function.

THREE CASES HOW TO USE IT RIGHT NOW

1. A person with weak bones may have a parathyroid problem and should see a doctor.

2. Someone feeling fatigued and confused might have low calcium due to parathyroid issues.

3. A person with kidney stones might have high calcium levels, possibly from overactive parathyroid glands.

INTERESTING FACTS

• The parathyroid glands are usually four in number.

• They are each about the size of a grain of rice.

• Parathyroid hormone was isolated in 1925.

• Parathyroid surgery is one of the most delicate surgeries in the neck.

• Parathyroid disorders can affect anyone, regardless of age or gender.