10. 2 - The Thyorid Gland Flashcards
What’s the pre tracheal fascia?
It attaches the thyroid gland to the trachea and larynx
Thus the thyroid moves upwards on swallowing, an important diagnostic feature for lumps in the neck.
When does the thyroid gland develop?
4-7 weeks after fertilisation. Migrates downwards from the foramen cecum of the tongue down to where it should be.
What’s a thyroglossal duct cyst?
Thyroglossal duct normally disappears but remnants of the epithelium may remain and form a thyroglossal duct cyst.
The cyst is normally near or within the body of the thyroid and forms a swelling on the anterior midline of the neck.
It can burst and is full os pus.
Also moves upwards on tongue protrusion.
What’s a linguine thyroid?
Type of ectopic thyroid that results from the lack of normal caudal migration of the thyroid gland
How do TSH and free T4 levels vary with thyroid disorders?
Hyperthyroidism
- TSH decreased
- free T4 increased
Hypothyroidism
- TSH increased
- free T4 decreased
What’s a diffused goitre?
A goitre that spans the whole of the anterior surface of the neck
When can a physiological goitre occur in women?
1) menarche = when you first start your period
2) pregnancy
3) menopause
What’s the commonest cause of goitre globally?
Iodine deficiency Reduced thyroxine (T4) levels = Increase TSH = nodular thyroid enlargement.
If a pregnant lady is iodine deficient, what are the risks to the kid?
- mental retardation
- abnormal gait
- deaf mutism
- short
- goitre
- hypothyroidism
How can a goitre affect the trachea?
A multinodular goitre may enlarge inferiority into the superior mediastinum to form a retrosternal goitre. This may cause tracheal compression.
What is myxoedema?
Can mean Non pitting oedema on the face and hypothyroid
When is ‘peaches and cream’ face present?
Hypothyroid
What’s pre tibial myxoedema?
Swollen calves in graves Disease
