Thryoid Flashcards
During embryology, when does the thyroid develop?
- During the third week of gestation the thyroid forms at the base of the tongue between the first pair of pharyngeal pouches, in an area called the foramen cecum
- Then descends to its usual location and develops into the bilobed organ with an isthmus. The thryoglossal duct obliterates during the second month of gestation.
- Parafollicular cells from the ultimobrachial bodies enter the thyroid during its descent.
- Iodine trapping and T4 synthesis begins during the third and fourth months of gestation
In what percent of the population is a pyramidal lobe of the thyroid present?
80%
What is a pyramidal lobe of the thyroid?
An extra lobe that arises most commonly from the isthmus, although can arise from either lateral lobe (left more common), and ascends as far as the hyiod bone.
How much does a normal thyroid gland weigh?
20-25 grams
What muscles overlie the thyroid gland?
Sternohyoid, sternothyroid, thyrohyoid, omohyoid
What structure lies behind the thyroid gland?
Trachea
What structures lie posterolateral to the thyroid gland?
Common carotid arteries, internal jugular veins, vagus nerves
Where are C-cells located?
Within the fobrovascular stroma of the thyroid follicles
What is the origin of the superior thyroid arteries?
The first branch of the external carotid at the level of the carotid bifurcation
What is the origin of the inferior thyroid arteries?
The thyrocervical trunk of the subclavian artery
What is the thyroidea ima artery?
An accessory artery arising from the brachiocephalic trunk (innominate artery) or aortic arch, which ascends anterior to the trachea to the inferior thyroid. It is present in 3-10% of the population.
What is one anatomic explanation for the relatively high frequency of multifocal tumors of the thyroid?
Intraglandular lymphatics
Describe the venous drainage of the thyroid?
The superior thyroid veins drain to the internal jugular, the middle thyroid veins drain to the internal jugular, the inferior thyroid veins drain to the brachiocephalic veins.
Describe the path of the right recurrent laryngeal nerve.
Branches from the vagus nerve and loops under the right subclavian artery. Then ascends to the larynx posterior to the thyroid gland between the trachea and esophagus. It may be either 1 cm anterior or posterior to the inferior thyroid artery.
Describe the path of the left recurrent laryngeal nerve.
Branches from the vagus lateral to the ligamentum arteriosum, runs inder the aortic arch and then ascends along the tracheoesophageal groove to the larynx.
What is the origin of the sympathetic innervation to the thyroid gland?
Vasomotor innervation from the superior and middle cervical sympathetic ganglia
What is the origin of the parasympathetic innervation of the thyroid gland?
Branches of the vagus via the laryngeal nerves.
What is the function of the recurrent laryngeal nerves?
Innervation of all the intrisic muscles of the larynx except the cricothyroid, and sensory innervation to the mucous membranes below the vocal cords
What are the consequences of damage to the recurrent laryngeal nerve?
Ipsilateral vocal cord paralysis resulting in hoarseness or sometimes SOB due to narrowing of the airway
Describe the formation of thyroid hormone.
Iodide is actively transported into the epithelial cells of thyroid follicles, where it is concentrated to 30x its serum concentration. Iodide is oxidized to iodine and combined with tyrosine within the thyroglobulin molecule, resulting in mono- and di-iodinated tyrosines. Mono- and di- iodotyrosine are then coupled to make T3 or T4 depending on the starting constituents.
What cells synthesize thyroglobulin?
Synthesized and secreted from the endoplasmitc reticulum and Golgi apparatus of the thyroid follicular cells.
What are the effects of TSH within the thyroid gland?
- Thyroglobulin proteolysis, causing the release of bound T3/T4 into circulation (onset within 30 min)
- Iodide trapping
- Increased iodination and coupling forming more thyroid hormones
- Increase size and secretions of thyroid cells
- Changes epithelium from cuboidal to columnar, with increased number of cells along the basement membrane.
What effects does thyroid hormone have on the cardiovascular system?
Increased HR, increased CO, increased blood flow, Increased blood volume, increased pulse pressure without change in the MAP
What are the effects of thyroid hormone on the respiratory system?
Increased respiratory rate, increased depth of respiration.
What are the effects of thyroid hormone on the GI tract?
Increased motility
What are the effects of thyroid hormone on the CNS?
Nervousness and anxiety
What are the effects of thyroid hormone on the musculoskeletal system?
Increased reactivity up to a point, then response is weakened and ultimately results in a fine motor tremor.
What are the effects of thyroid hormone on sleep?
Causes constant fatigue with decreased ability to actually sleep.
What effects does thyroid hormone have on nutrition?
Increases basal metabolic rate, increases the need for vitamins, increases metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins, decreases weight.
How long does the stored thryoig hormone in follicles last without any increased thyroid hormone production?
2-3 months.
What is the effect of increased TBG on total and free T4?
Total T4 changes, but free T4 remains the same.
What percentage of patients with a lingual thyroid have other functioning thyroid tissue?
30%
What are the congenital anomalies that affect the thyroid?
Complete failure to develop, incomplete descent (lingual or subhyoid position), excessive descent (substernal thyroid), malformation of branchial pouch, persistent sunys tract remnant of developing gland (can lead to thyroglossal duct cyst), lateral aberrant thyroid
What is a thyroglossal duct cyst, and what is the surgical management?
The most common congenital anomaly of the thyroid gland with generally few symptoms, but may become infected. It is easier to see with the tongue sticking out. Surgical excision involves removing the duct remnant and the central portion of the hyoid bone.
What percent of patients with hyperthyroidism have atrial fibrillation that is refractory to medical management?
10%
What are the six major causes of hyperthyroidism?
- Graves’ Disease
- Toxic nodular goiter
- Toxic thyroid adenoma
- Subacute thyroiditis
- Functional metastatic thyroid cancer
- Struma ovarii
What percent of the population is affected by Graves’ disease?
2% of American women
What is the male to female ratio of Graves’ disease?
1:6
What is the average age of onset of Graves’ Disease?
20-40
What are the most common presenting symptoms of Graves disease?
Present in >90%: Nervousness, increased sweating, tachycardia, goiter, pretibial myxedema, tremor.
Present in 50-90%: Heat intolerance, palpitations, fatigue, weight loss, dyspnea, weakness, increased appetite, eye complaints, thyroid bruit
Other: Amenorrhea, decreased libido and fertility
What are typical labs of hyperthyroidism?
Decreased TSH, increased T3 and/or T4, increased thyroid receptor antibodies (TrAb)
What are the three modalities of treatment for hyperthyroidism?
- Antithyroid drugs
- Ablation with I-131
- Subtotal or total thyroidectomy
What is the most common outcome of radioablation iodine therapy?
Euthyroid within 2 months. Eventually with require thyroid homorne replacement.
What population is Iodine radioablation therapy contraindicated in?
Pregnant women and young children.
What are the medical therapies for hyperthyroidism?
- Beta-blockers for symptomatic relief
- Propylthiouracil
- Methimazole
What are the side effects of antithyroid medications?
Rash, fever, peripheral neurotis
What is Plummer’s Disease?
An eponym for toxic nodular goiter.
What is the treatment of choice for toxic nodular goiter?
Surgery. Medical therapy may alleviate symptoms but is less effective than in Graves’ disease, and ablation has a high failure rate.
What are the three major risks following thyroid surgery?
- Injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve
- Hypoparathyroidism
- Persistent hyperthyroidism when subtotal thyroidectomy is performed
What are the major precipitators of thyroid storm?
Infection, labor, surgery, iodide administration, or recent radioablation
How does thyroid storm present?
Disoriented, febrile, tachycardic, and often are vomiting and have diarrhea