Thyroid Physiology Flashcards
what does the thryoid gland secrete
thyroxine -T4
tri-iodothyroxine -T3
calcitonin
what do the parathryoid glands secrete
parathyroid hormone
what is the isthmus of the thyroid
connects the two lobes across the trachea
where is the thyroid gland
between the 5th cervical and 1st thoracic vertebrae / 2-4th tracheal rings
how big and heavy is the normal thyroid gland
12-15mm
25-30 grams
is there always an isthmus
no- can just be 2 separate lobes
what can cause the thyroid to change in size without being pathological
increases in size during pregnancy/ menstruation
what innervates the thyroid gland
autonomic nerve supply- parasympathetic from vagus nerves
sympathetic fibres of superior, middle and inferior ganglia of the sympathic trunk
what is the blood supply to the thyroid (+ veins)
superior and inferior thyroid arteries (branch of external carotid) +/- thyroidea ima
3 pairs of veins- superior/ middle thyroid vein (goes into internal jugular)
inferior thyroid vein (goes into brachiocephalic veins)
what supports the thryoid gland
ligaments and strap muscles
posteromedial aspect of the gland is attached by the posterior suspensory ligament (berry ligament)
what is the relevance of the anatomy of the thyroid gland for any surgical proceudres
Isthmus encountered during routine tracheostomy (needs retracted)
Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve/ vascularity - surgery
what happens if the recurrent laryngeal nerve is bruised
causes temporary hoareness of voice
what are the componnents of the thryoid gland
follicle, follicular cells, colloid, parafollicular cells
what is a colloid thryoglobulin
tyrosine containing thyroglobulin filled spheres enclosed by follicular cells
what do parafollicular cells do
secrete calcitonin
what is the function of thyroid follicles
store the thyroid hormones produced by the follicular cells
why does it take 2-3 weeks to notice that a hormone has stopped being produced
as hormones stored in follicles and slowly released into blood stream
what mineral is need to make thyroid hormones
iodine
how is iodine taken into follicular cells
from blood stream via iodine transporters
what does iodine get trapped in to make thryoid hormones
pinocytes
what does iodine form when in follicular cells
attaches to tyrosine residues on thyroglobulin to form MIT (monoiodotyrosine unit) and DIT (di-iodotyrosine unit)
how do MIT and DIT form thyroid hormones
MIT and DIT couple to make triiodothyronine= T£
DIT and DIT couple to make thryoxine= T4
what drugs can stop the formation of thyroid hormones from iodine and how
what are they used to treat
carbimazole and propylthioracil
stops iodine binding to tyrosine residues on thryoglobulin
used to treat hyperthyroidism
what makes up the majority of thyroid hormones secreted
T4 thyroxine (90%) (T3 10%)
which thyroid hormone is more potent
T3 is 4x more potent than T4
what makes T4 more potent
is converted to T3 by any cell (take off the iodine)
what is the major biologically active thyroid hormone
T3- triiodothyronine
what causes the release of thyroid hormones
thyroid stimulating hormone (from pituitary gland)