The Thyroid and Parathyroid Glands

Question 1

The thyroid gland is located between the vertebral level of ——– and between the ——– cartilage and the 6th tracheal ring.

Answer 1

C5-T1
cricoid

Question 2

the isthmus of the thyroid gland lies opposite which tracheal rings?

Answer 2

2nd-4th

Question 3

which strap muscles overlie the thyroid gland?

Answer 3

sternothyroid
sternohyoid

Question 4

name the two nerves that supply the muscles of the vocal cords and describe their location in relation to the thyroid gland

Answer 4

1. recurrent laryngeal nerve - runs between trachea and oesophagus
2. superior laryngeal nerve (branches into external /internal laryngeal nerves) - inferior laryngeal nerve

Question 5

from which major artery in the neck does the superior thyroid artery arise?

Answer 5

external carotid artery ECA

Question 6

from which artery does the inferior thyroid artery arise

Answer 6

thyrocervical trunk

Question 7

into which vein does the superior thyroid vein drain?

Answer 7

internal jugular vein IJV

Question 8

into which vein does the middle thyroid vein drain?

Answer 8

internal jugular vein IJV

Question 9

into which vein does the inferior thyroid vein drain?

Answer 9

brachiocephalic trunk

Question 10

most lymph vessels from the thyroid gland drain into the

Answer 10

deep cervical group of lymph nodes

Question 11

which endocrine gland is this?

Answer 11

thyroid gland

Question 12

which endocrine gland is this?

Answer 12

thyroid

Question 13

which endocrine gland is this?
label components 1-3

Answer 13

thyroid gland
1. colloid
2. fibrous septa/septum
3. clear cell

Question 14

which type of cell lines the follicles of thyroid glands?

Answer 14

epithelial (follicular) cell

Question 15

what colour does the colloid of the thyroid gland stain in a H&E stained slide?

Answer 15

purple

Question 16

what hormones does the thyroid gland secrete?

Answer 16

T3/4

Question 17

parathyroid glands arterial supply

Answer 17

inferior thyroid arteries predominantly

Question 18

parathyroid glands venous drainage

Answer 18

veins draining the thyroid to the internal jugular vein

Question 19

this low power image is of which endocrine gland?

Answer 19

parathyroid gland, separated from the thyroid by a thin capsule

Question 20

this high power image is of which endocrine gland? label cells 1 and 2

Answer 20

parathyroid gland
1. chief cells (more numerous and darker staining cytoplasm)
2. oxyphil cells

Question 21

what hormone is secreted by the parathyroid gland and what is the action of this hormone?

Answer 21

PTH > increases Ca in the blood

Question 21

what cells does PTH act upon and what is their subsequent action?

Answer 21

• stimulates osteoclasts to take Ca from bone to blood
• inhibits osteoblasts deposition of Ca in bone
• increases reabsorption of Ca from kidney
• increases absorption of Ca from gut via stimulating releases of calcitriol