7 - General Thyroid Disorders Flashcards
Which nerves go behind the thyroid?
Left recurrent laryngeal nerves.
If damaged their voice might change/ have difficulty speaking.
How much does the adult thyroid weigh?
20g.
Each lobe = 4 x 2.5 x 2.5 cm
How many lobes are there?
Which is the largest?
4 lobes.
Right is the largest.
What glands are found embedded in the thyroid?
Parathyroid glands.
Draw the thyroid gland.
Drawing
What is the origin of the thyroid gland?
Back of tongue
What is the foramen caecum?
Dimple at the back of the tongue (disappearing thyroglossal duct)
What is agenesis?
Agenesis - the failure of an organ to develop during embryonic growth.
= Complete absence of the thyroid gland.
What other problems with development of the thyroid could occur?
- Incomplete descent (tongue to trachea)
- Thyroglossal cyst (segment of duct presents as a lump)
- Lingual thyroid (mass of thyroid at are of tongue)
What is a cretin?
An individual with irreversible brain damage caused by lack of thyroxine.
How is cretinism prevented?
Baby heel prick - blood test to measure TSH.
If TSH is high = thyroxine given.
Where is thyroxin synthesised?
Thyroid folicular cells
Draw a thyroid follicle cell.
Drawing
Where is thyroglobulin found?
Inside the thyroid gland ONLY.
What does thyroxine bind to in the circulation?
Thyroxine binding globulin. (75% of thyroxine is bound this way)