The parathyroid gland assumes an essential function in the human body through its involvement in the regulation of calcium and phosphate balance. Thus, it is all the more important to recognize and treat symptoms indicating disease in a timely manner.
What is the parathyroid gland?
Examination of the thyroid glands. The parathyroid glands, which are also known as the parathyroid gland, are important for certain bodily functions and are located directly behind the thyroid gland. Because they secrete hormones directly into the blood, they are often called endocrine glands. The parathyroid glands are primarily responsible for the formation of parathormone, which regulates the calcium and phosphate balance in the body. Thus, the parathyroid gland takes over important tasks of the human organism, which can be limited in the case of diseases such as hyperthyroidism. In order to check the correct functioning of the parathyroid glands, the calcium, phosphate and parathormone levels in the blood are measured during medical check-ups. The parathyroid glands can also be examined for their condition and functionality by ultrasound, computer tomography, magnetic resonance imaging or parathyroid scintigraphy.
Anatomy and structure
The parathyroid gland is composed of four individual small glands, also known as epithelial bodies, located just behind the thyroid gland in the neck. Normally, two glands are located on the right side and two on the left side. Depending on their location, a distinction is also made between the upper and lower parathyroid glands. In total, humans have four parathyroid glands, but their size and shape can vary from body to body. However, it is assumed that parathyroid glands usually weigh between 30 and 70 mg and have a size of approximately 5 x 3 x 1 mm. In addition, it has been proven that about 10% of people have more than four parathyroid glands, while others have only three or less in their bodies in rare cases.
Functions and tasks
The parathyroid gland gets its great importance mainly from its special tasks in the human organism. Thus, one of its most important functions is the production of the so-called parathyroid hormone, which regulates the calcium and phosphate balance in the body. First of all, the parathormone influences vitamin D3 formation in the kidney, which increases calcium absorption from the intestine. This leads to reduced calcium and increased phosphate excretion in the body. When the calcium level falls, the parathormone level is thus increased, while when the calcium level rises, the hormone secretion is reduced within a few minutes. At the bones, in turn, the parathyroid hormone causes a breakdown of skeletal substance and thus a simultaneous release of phosphate and calcium. In addition to bone formation, the regulation of these two substances also plays an important role in nerve impulse conduction, muscle contraction, blood clotting and cell metabolism. This makes it all the more important to keep calcium levels within a standard range of 2.2 to 2.6 mol /l, as even slight discrepancies can lead to disease.
Diseases and ailments
Because of these functions, it is particularly important to detect and treat parathyroid diseases in a timely manner. In particular, primary hyperparathyroidism represents a frequently occurring disease in this regard, which is also referred to as primary hyperparathyroidism, or pHPT for short, and describes an excessive production of parathyroid hormones. This excess leads to an increased calcium level, which can manifest itself in bone pain or bone fractures. Severe itching, which is caused by deposits of calcium phosphate crystals in the skin, is also a symptom of pHPT. Also conjunctivitis or arteriosclerosis can be consequences of primary hyperparathyroidism, which in most cases is caused by a benign enlargement of a parathyroid gland, a so-called parathyroid adenoma. Furthermore, in addition to primary hyperparathyroidism, there is also secondary parathyroid hyperfunction, the cause of which lies in a disturbed vitamin D metabolism.Due to a reduced vitamin D level in the kidneys, a low calcium level and an increased phosphate level can be found in the body. As a result, the parathyroid glands constantly produce parathyroid hormones, which cause an elevated level of PTH. The disease subsequently manifests itself mainly as kidney stones, bone pain or stomach ulcers and usually affects dialysis patients. However, in severe cases of parathyroid hyperfunction, depression or disturbances in concentration, consciousness, motivation and heart rhythm also occur.
