The parathyroid gland is responsible for the content of calcium and phosphorus in the body. The regulation of the metabolism of these trace elements in the blood is due to parathyroid hormones, the structure of which is made of amino acid residues. Such biologically active substances are produced precisely by the parathyroid gland, or, in another way, called the parathyroid gland. Collectively, these small organs are responsible for controlling calcium metabolism in the body.

Number and location of glands

Considering the question of how many parathyroid glands are in the body, it should be noted that they are paired organs. Their usual location is on the back of the thyroid wall. One pair is located on both sides of the upper part, and the second is in the part of its lower pole. However, this is only four of the possible total. There can be a maximum of twelve of them.

Human anatomy explains the location of any organ. The parathyroid glands, on the other hand, are characterized by the variability of not only the number, but also the locations of the rest, except for the two pairs specified above. They can be located in close proximity to the neurovascular bundle in the neck, on the surface of the thymus (thymus gland), or on the front of the spine, behind the esophagus. It is also possible to locate them elsewhere in the body. Such variability of locations forces the surgeon – endocrinologist to be very careful when performing a surgical operation.

Function performed by the glands

The direct development of the parathyroid gland occurs from the branchial canals. The branchial apparatus is the basis that makes it possible to form the facial part of the human face. The parathyroid glands contain two types of cells. The former produce parathyroid hormone. And what other cells are and what they are intended for, medicine is not yet known for certain. Parathyroid hormone regulates the amount of calcium in the human body. This element is not only a guarantee of the strength of bone tissue, but also plays an essential role in the process of blood clotting and the performance of contractions of any muscle of the body, including the heart. This mineral is also necessary for the normal functioning of brain cells.

In the case of a decrease in the amount of calcium in the blood, there is an increase in the parathyroid hormone produced by the parathyroid glands. In this case, the manifestation of the following effects is possible in the body:

1. Reducing the possibility of removing calcium from the body together with urine.
2. The process of hydroxylation (the first stage of activation) of vitamin D is enhanced in the kidneys. At the same time, a transport protein is produced, which ensures the absorption of calcium into the blood.
3. Osteoclasts are activated – cells that produce a destructive effect on bone tissue in order to transfer calcium from it into the blood.

These effects, each in its own way, provide the process of increasing the level of such an important mineral in the body. Moreover, all processes occur under the influence of parathyroid hormone, which is secreted by the parathyroid gland.

The importance of the parathyroid glands

The role of the parathyroid gland in the body is very significant and these small organs are vital for humans. So, their removal leads, due to a sharp decrease in the calcium content in the blood plasma, to the development of seizures and muscle spasms, which, in turn, can lead to death.

For the body, both the excess of the function of the parathyroid glands, leading to hyperparathyroidism, and the failure of organs, causing hypoparathyroidism, are harmful.

With an excessive production of parathyroid hormones by the parathyroid gland, osteoclasts intensively perform a destructive effect on human bones, which leads to the development of osteoporosis – a decrease in bone density. Most often, this condition occurs when an adenoma, a benign tumor, develops in the parathyroid gland. The study and study of such tissues is carried out by histology, the methods of research of which allow to determine many diseases. With a decrease in the level of the produced parathyroid hormone, the calcium content decreases, and the amount of phosphorus increases.

Possible complications of hyperparathyroidism:

• the occurrence of bone fractures, most often of the legs, even with low loads;
• formed kidney stones;
• the formation of multiple deposits of calcium salts in blood vessels, as well as heart valves;
• the development of peptic ulcers of both the stomach and the duodenum;
• change in intellectual abilities;
• the development of coma.

With hypoparathyroidism, an increase in the excitability of neuromuscular activity is observed, numbness of the limbs, nails and teeth become fragile, dermatitis and dry skin develop.