Name: Chemical Messengers in Action
Uploaded: 2019-07-19
Duration: 3 min 54 s
Description: We know that insulin reduces blood glucose levels, but exactly how does it accomplish such a vital task? Let's learn about the mechanism of hormone action in...

Question

Briefly describe the structure of the parathyroid gland and also list the effects of parathyroid hormone.

Accepted Answer

Parathyroid glands are situated in the neck region, posterior to the thyroid gland in the human body. They are composed of four glands, and each pair is positioned on either side of the two-lobed thyroid gland. But one pair of the parathyroid gland is located in the higher region than the other pair, thus called superior parathyroid and inferior parathyroid glands, respectively. It mainly synthesizes and secrete parathyroid hormone (PTH), which maintain the circulating calcium and phosphate level in the body of an individual.

Parathyroid hormone imparts several effects in the body, such as-

It increases the circulating calcium level in the blood, hence also called hypercalcaemic hormone.

It stimulates the calcium ion reabsorption from the renal tubule during the process of excretion.

PTH also increases the calcium absorption rate from the food items during digestion by activating vitamin D synthesis.

It acts on osteoblast and osteoclast of bones and enhances calcium resorption.

It is functional in the bones also and helps in the bone remodeling process.

It increases the renal excretion of the phosphate ions.

Briefly describe the structure of the parathyroid gland and also list the effects of parathyroid hormone.

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