PARATHYROID GLAND

The parathyroid gland consist of 4 small glands and   are located within the thyroid gland

HORMONES OF THE PARATHYROID GLAND

The parathyroid gland produces a hormone called Parathyroid Hormone (PTH):

FUNCTIONS OF THE PARATHYROID HORMONE

The release of PTH is stimulated by decreased blood calcium levels.

1. PTH targets bone cells (activates osteoclasts to resorb bone), proximal convoluted tubules (causes PCT’s to reabsorb calcium back into bloodstream), and small intestine (promotes calcium absorption.
   Therefore, PTH causes an increase in blood calcium (and phosphate) levels back to normal.
2. PTH and calcitonin together maintain the homeostasis of Ca++ in the blood.

DISORDERS OF THE PARATHYROID GLAND

Some of the disorders of the paratyroid glands are:

1. Hypocalcemia

Htpocalcemia causes by hyposecretion of PTH. And it results in Tetany [muscle spasms and convulsions]

2. Hypercalcemia

Hypercalcemia causes by hypersecretion of PTH. And it results in a fibrous bone disease [osteitis fibrosa cystica or also called Von
Recklinghausen's Disease of the bone]